Electro-optic lens with integrated components

ABSTRACT

A range finder device for use with a controller in an optical system is disclosed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The range finder device comprises a transmitter to produce a first beam of non-visible radiation for intersecting a perceived object, and a receiver to detect non-visible radiation reflected from that object. The controller determines a viewing distance of the perceived object based on signals received from the transmitter and receiver. A method of controlling an optical lens system comprises utilizing a range finder device to determine a viewing distance of an object perceived through an electro-active lens and adjusting a focal length of a portion of the lens based on the viewing distance. An optical lens system comprises an electro-active lens and a controller to adjust a focal length of at least a portion of the electro-active lens based on a signal from a range finder device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.Nos. 60/363,549, filed Mar. 13, 2002, and Ser. No. 60/401,700, filedAug. 7, 2002. This application is also a continuation-in-part of thefollowing Ser. No. 10/281,204 filed Oct. 28, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No.6,733,130, and Ser. No. 10/046,244 filed Jan. 16, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No.6,879,510, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.Nos. 60/261,805, filed Jan. 17, 2001, Ser. No. 60/326,991, filed Oct. 5,2001 and Ser. No. 60/331,419, filed Nov. 15, 2001, and is also acontinuation-in-part of the following U.S. Application Ser. Nos.09/602,013 filed Jun. 23, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,799, Ser. No.09/602,012 filed Jun. 23, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,203, Ser. No.09/602,014filed Jun. 23, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,394, and Ser. No.09/603,736 filed Jun. 23, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,391. All of theforegoing applications are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of optics. More particularly,the present invention relates to system and method employing anelectro-active lens that contains at least some integrated components,including a range finder device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an optical lenssystem is disclosed. The optical lens system comprises an electro-activelens and a controller coupled to the electro-active lens configured toadjust a focal length of at least a portion of the electro-active lensbased on a signal from a range finder device, for example.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a range finderdevice for use with a controller in an optical system is disclosed. Therange finder device comprises a transmitter configured to produce afirst beam of non-visible radiation for intersecting a perceived object,and a receiver configured to detect a second beam of non-visibleradiation reflected from the perceived object, the controller configuredto determine a viewing distance of the perceived object based on signalsreceived from the transmitter and receiver.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a method ofcontrolling an optical lens system is disclosed. The method comprisesutilizing a range finder device to determine a viewing distance of anobject perceived through an electro-active lens and adjusting a focallength of a first portion of the electro-active lens based on theviewing distance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more fully understood by reading thefollowing detailed description of the presently preferred embodimentstogether with the accompanying drawings, in which like referenceindicators are used to designate like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-activephoropter/refractor system 100.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an embodiment of another electro-activephoropter/refractor system 200.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a conventional dispensing practice sequence300.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of dispensing method 400.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of electro-active eyewear500.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of prescription method 600.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an embodiment of a hybrid electro-activespectacle lens 700.

FIG. 8 is a section view of an embodiment of hybrid electro-activespectacle lens 700 taken along section line A—A of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a section view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 900,taken along section line Z—Z of FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lenssystem 1000.

FIG. 11 is a section view of an embodiment of a diffractiveelectro-active lens 1100 taken along section line Z—Z of FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 is a front view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 1200.

FIG. 13 is a section view of an embodiment of the electro-active lens1200 of FIG. 12 taken along section line Q—Q.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a tracking system1400.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lenssystem 1500.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lenssystem 1600.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens1700.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens1800.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-activerefractive matrix 1900.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens2000.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an embodiment of electro-active eyewear2100.

FIG. 22 is a front view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2200.

FIG. 23 is a front view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2300.

FIG. 24 is a front view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2400.

FIG. 25 is a section view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens2500 taken along section line Z—Z of FIG. 5.

FIG. 26 is a section view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens2600 taken along section line Z—Z of FIG. 5.

FIG. 27 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of dispensing method 2700.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens2800.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an optical lens system in accord withanother alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an optical lens system in accord withanother alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an optical lens system in accord withanother alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an optical lens system in accord withanother alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is an exploded perspective view of an optical lens system inaccord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is an exploded perspective view of an optical lens system inaccord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 35 a-35 e illustrate assembly steps that may be completed inaccord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 36 a-36 e illustrate assembly steps that may be completed inaccord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 37 a through 37 g illustrate assembly steps that may be completedin yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a perspective exploded view of an integrated chip rangefinder and integrated controller in accord with another alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 39 is an exploded perspective view of an integrated controllerbattery and integrated controller in accord with another alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 40 is an exploded perspective view of an integrated controllerrange finder in accord with another alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of an optical lens system in accord withyet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of an optical lens system in accord withyet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of an optical lens system in accord withyet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44 a is an exploded perspective view of an integrated power source,controller and range finder in accord with another alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 44 b is a side sectional view the integrated power source,controller and range finder of FIG. 44 a along Z-Z′ in accord with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 45 is a side view of the range finder transmitter of FIG. 44 b inaccord with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 46 is a side view of the range finder receiver of FIG. 44 b inaccord with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 47 a-47 c are side views of a wearer of an optical lens system inaccord with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system inaccord with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system inaccord with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system inaccord with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system inaccord with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system inaccord with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In 1998, there were approximately 92 million eye examinations performedin the United States alone. The vast majority of these examinationsinvolved a thorough check for eye pathology both internal and external,analysis of muscle balance and binocularity, measurement of the corneaand, in many cases, the pupil, and finally a refractive examination,which was both objective and subjective.

Refractive examinations are performed to understand/diagnose themagnitude and type of the refractive error of one's eye. The types ofrefractive error that are currently able to be diagnosed & measured, aremyopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. Current refractors(phoropters) attempt to correct one's vision to 20/20 distance and nearand, in some cases, 20/15 distance vision can be achieved; however, thisis by far the exception.

It should be pointed out that the theoretical limit to which the retinaof one's eye can process and define vision is approximately 20/10. Thisis far better than the level of vision which is currently obtained byway of both today's refractors (phoropters) and conventional spectaclelenses. What is missing from these conventional devices is the abilityto detect, quantify and correct for non-conventional refractive error,such as aberrations, irregular astigmatism, or ocular layerirregularities. These aberrations, irregular astigmatism, and/or ocularlayer irregularities may be as a result of one's visual system or as aresult of aberrations caused by conventional eyeglasses, or acombination of both.

Therefore, it would be extremely beneficial to have a means fordetecting, quantifying, and correcting one's vision as close to 20/10 orbetter as possible. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to do this in avery efficient and user friendly manner.

The present invention utilizes a novel approach in detecting,quantifying and correcting one's vision. The approach involves severalinnovative embodiments utilizing an electro-active lens. Furthermore,the invention utilizes a novel approach towards the selection,dispensing, activating, and programming of electro-active eyewear.

For example, in one inventive embodiment, a novel electro-activephoropter/refractor is utilized. This electro-active phoropter/refractorutilizes far fewer lens components than today's phoropters and is afraction of the overall size and/or weight of today's phoropters. Infact, this exemplary inventive embodiment consists of only a pair ofelectro-active lenses housed in a frame mounting that provides, eitherthrough its own structural design and/or by way of a network ofconductive wires, electrical power needed to enable the electro-activelenses to function properly.

To assist with understanding certain embodiments of the invention,explanations of various terms are now provided. In some situations,these explanations are not necessarily intended to be limiting, but,should be read in light of the examples, descriptions, and claimsprovided herein.

An “electro-active zone” can include or be included in an electro-activestructure, layer, and/or region. An “electro-active region” can be aportion and/or the entirety of an electro-active layer. Anelectro-active region can be adjacent to another electro-active region.An electro-active region can be attached to another electro-activeregion, either directly, or indirectly with, for example, an insulatorbetween each electro-active region. An “electro-active refractivematrix” is both an electro-active zone and region and can be attached toanother electro-active layer, either directly, or indirectly with, forexample, an insulator between each electro-active layer. “Attaching” caninclude bonding, depositing, adhering, and other well-known attachmentmethods. A “controller” can include or be included in a processor, amicroprocessor, an integrated circuit, an IC, a computer chip, and/or achip. A “refractor” can include a controller. An “auto-refractor” caninclude a wave front analyzer. “Near distance refractive error” caninclude presbyopia and any other refractive error needed to be correctedfor one to see clearly at near distance. “Intermediate distancerefractive error” can include the degree of presbyopia needed to becorrected an intermediate distance and any other refractive error neededto be corrected for one to see clearly at intermediate distance. “Fardistance refractive error” can include any refractive error needed to becorrected for one to see clearly at far distance. “Near distance” can befrom about 6 inches to about 24 inches, and more preferably from about14 inches to about 18 inches. “Intermediate distance” can be from about24 inches to about 5 feet. “Far distance” can be any distance betweenabout 5 feet and infinity, and more preferably, infinity. “Conventionalrefractive error” can include myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and/orpresbyopia. “Non-conventional refractive error” can include irregularastigmatism, aberrations of the ocular system, and any other refractiveerror not included in conventional refractive error. “Optical refractiveerror” can include any aberrations associated with a lens optic.

In certain embodiments, a “spectacle” can include one lens. In otherembodiments, a “spectacle” can include more than one lens. A“multi-focal” lens can include bifocal, trifocal, quadrafocal, and/orprogressive addition lens. A “finished” lens blank can include a lensblank that has finished optical surface on both sides. A “semi-finished”lens blank can include a lens blank that has, on one side only, afinished optical surface, and on the other side, a non-opticallyfinished surface, the lens needing further modifications, such as, forexample, grinding and/or polishing, to make it into a useable lens.“Surfacing” can include grinding and/or polishing off excess material tofinish a non-finished surface of a semi-finished lens blank.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of electro-activephoropter/refractor system 100. Frames 110 contain electro-active lens120, which are connected via a network of conductive wires 130 to anelectro-active lens controller 140 and to an electrical power source150.

In certain embodiments, the temples (not shown in FIG. 1) of frames 110contain batteries or power sources such as, for example, a micro-fuelcell. In other inventive embodiments, the temple or temples of frame 110possess the needed electrical components so that a power cord is pluggeddirectly into an electrical outlet and/or the electro-active refractor'scontroller/programmer 160.

Still in other inventive embodiments, the electro-active lenses 120 aremounted in a housing assembly which is suspended so one could simplyposition one's face properly in order to look through the electro-activelenses while being refracted.

While the first inventive embodiment utilizes only a pair ofelectro-active lenses, in certain other inventive embodiments, multipleelectro-active lenses are used. Still in other inventive embodiments, acombination of conventional lenses and electro-active lenses areutilized.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary embodiment of anelectro-active refractor system 200 that includes housing assembly 210that contains at least one electro-active lens 220 and severalconventional lenses, specifically, diffractive lens 230, prismatic lens240, astigmatic lens 250, and spherical lens 260. A network ofconductive wires 270 connects the electro-active lens 220 to a powersource 275 and to a controller 280, that provides a prescription display290.

In each inventive embodiment where multiple electro-active lenses and/ora combination of conventional and electro-active lenses are utilized,the lenses can be used to test one's vision in a random and/ornon-random one-at-a-time sequence. In other inventive embodiments, twoor more lenses are added together giving a total corrective power infront of each eye as needed.

The electro-active lenses, which are utilized in both the electro-activephoropter and the electro-active eyewear, are comprised of either ahybrid and/or non-hybrid construction. In a hybrid construction, aconventional lens optic is combined with an electro-active zone. In anon-hybrid construction, no conventional lens optic is used.

As discussed above, the invention differs from today's conventionaldispensing practice sequence 300, which is shown as a flow diagram inFIG. 3. As shown at steps 310 and 320, traditionally an eye examinationinvolving a conventional refractor is followed by obtaining one'sprescription and taking that prescription to a dispenser. Then, as shownat steps 330 and 340, at the dispenser one's frames and lens areselected. As shown at step 350 and 360, the lenses are fabricated,edged, and assembled into the frames. Finally, at step 370, the newprescription eyeglasses are dispensed and received.

As shown in the flow diagram of FIG. 4, in an exemplary embodiment ofone inventive dispensing method 400, at step 410 the electro-activeeyewear is selected by or for the wearer. At step 420, the frames arefitted to the wearer. With the wearer wearing the electro-activeeyewear, at step 430, the electronics are controlled by theelectro-active phoropter/refractor control system, which in most casesis operated by an eyecare professional and/or technician. However, incertain inventive embodiments, the patient or wearer can actuallyoperate the control system and thus, control the prescription of theirown electro-active lenses. In other inventive embodiments, both thepatient/wearer and the eyecare professional and/or technician work withthe controller together.

At step 440, the control system, whether operated by the eyecareprofessional, technician, and/or the patient/wearer, is utilized toselect both objectively or subjectively the best correcting prescriptionfor the patient/wearer. Upon selecting the proper prescription tocorrect the patient/wearer's vision to it's optimal correction, theeyecare professional or technician then programs the patient's/wearer'selectro-active eyewear.

In one inventive embodiment, the selected prescription is programmedinto an electro-active eyewear controller, and/or one or more controllercomponents, prior to the selected electro-active eyewear beingdisconnected from the electro-active phoropter/refractor's controller.In other inventive embodiments the prescription is programmed into theselected electro-active eyewear at a later time.

In either case the electro-active eyewear is selected, fitted,programmed, and dispensed at step 450 in a totally different sequencethan conventional eyeglasses are today. This sequence allows forimproved manufacturing, refracting and dispensing efficiencies.

Via this inventive method, the patient/wearer literally can select theireyewear, wear them while the testing of their vision is taking place,and then have them programmed for the correct prescription. In mostcases, but not all, this is done before the patient/wearer leaves theexamination chair, thus, ensuring the total fabrication and programmingaccuracy of the patient's final prescription, as well as the accuracy ofthe eye refraction itself. Finally, in this inventive embodiment thepatient can literally wear their electro-active eyeglasses when they getup out of the examination chair and proceed out of the eyecareprofessional's office.

It should be pointed out that other inventive embodiments allow for theelectro-active phoropter/refractor to simply display or print out thepatient or wearer's best corrected prescription which is then filled inmuch the same manner as in the past. Currently the process involvestaking a written prescription to a dispensing location whereelectro-active eyewear (frames and lenses) are sold and dispensed.

Still in other inventive embodiments the prescription is sentelectronically, for example, via the Internet, to a dispensing locationwhere electro-active eyewear (frames and lenses) are sold.

In the case where the prescription is not filled at the point where theeye refraction is performed, in certain inventive embodiments anelectro-active eyewear controller, and/or one or more controllercomponents, is either programmed and installed into the electro-activeeyewear, or directly programmed while installed in the electro-activeeyewear, following the refraction. In the case where nothing is added tothe electro-active eyewear, the electro-active eyewear controller,and/or one or more controller components, is an intricate built-in partof the electro-active eyewear and does not need to be added at a latertime.

FIG. 27 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of another inventivedispensing method 2700. At step 2710, the vision of the patient isrefracted using any method. At step 2720, the prescription for thepatient is obtained. At step 2730, the electro-active eyewear isselected. At step 2740, the electro-active eyewear is programmed withthe wearer's prescription. At step 2750, the electro-active eyewear isdispensed.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another inventive embodiment of theelectro-active eyewear 500. In this illustrative example, frames 510contain generic electro-active lenses 520 and 522 that are electricallycoupled by connecting wires 530 to electro-active eyewear controller 540and power source 550. Section line Z—Z divides generic electro-activelens 520.

Controller 540 acts as the “brains” of the electro-active eyewear 500,and can contain at least one processor component, at least one memorycomponent for storing instructions and/or data for a specificprescription, and at least one input/output component, such as a port.Controller 540 can perform computational tasks such as reading from andwriting into memory, calculating voltages to be applied to individualgrid elements based on desired refractive indices, and/or acting as alocal interface between the patient/user's eyewear and the associatedrefractor/phoropter equipment.

In one inventive embodiment, controller 540 is pre-programmed by theeyecare specialist or technician to meet the patient's convergence andaccommodative needs. In this embodiment, this pre-programming is done oncontroller 540 while controller 540 is outside the patient's eyewear,and controller 540 is then inserted into the eyewear after theexamination. In one inventive embodiment, controller 540 is a“read-only” type, supplying the voltage to grid elements to obtain thenecessary array of refractive indices to correct the vision for aspecific distance. As the patient's prescription changes, a newcontroller 540 must be programmed and inserted into the eyewear by thespecialist. This controller would be of a class of ASIC's, orapplication specific integrated circuits, and its memory and processingcommands permanently imprinted.

In another inventive embodiment, the electro-active eyewear controllermay be originally programmed by the eyecare specialist or technicianwhen first dispensed, and later the same controller, or a componentthereof, can be reprogrammed to provide a different correction, as thepatient's needs change. This electro-active eyewear controller may beextracted from the eyewear, placed in the refractor'scontroller/programmer (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and reprogrammed duringthe examination, or reprogrammed, in situ, by the refractor withoutremoval from the electro-active eyewear. The electro-active eyewearcontroller in this case could, for example, be of a class of FPGA's, orfield programmable gate array architecture. In this inventive embodimentthe electro-active eyewear controller may be permanently built into theeyewear and require only an interface link to the refractor which issuesthe reprogramming commands to the FPGA. Part of this link would includeexternal AC power to the electro-active eyewear controller provided byan AC adapter embedded in the refractor/phoropter or in itscontroller/programmer unit.

In another inventive embodiment, the electro-active eyewear acts as therefractor, and the external equipment operated by the eyecare specialistor technician consists of merely a digital and/or analog interface tothe electro-active eyewear's controller. Thus, the electro-activeeyewear controller can also serve as the controller for therefractor/phoropter. In this embodiment, the necessary processingelectronics are available to alter the array of grid voltages to theelectro-active eyewear and reprogram the electro-active eyewearcontroller with this data after the optimal correction for the user isempirically determined. In this case, the patient reviews the eye chartsthrough his/her own electro-active eyewear during the examination andmay be unaware that as he/she is selecting the best correctiveprescription, the controller in their electro-active eyewear issimultaneously being reprogrammed electronically.

Another innovative embodiment utilizes an electronic auto-refractor thatcan be used as a first step and/or in combination with theelectro-active refractors (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) such as by way ofexample, but not limited to Humphrey's Auto-refractor & Nikon'sAuto-refractor which have been developed or modified to provide feedback which is compatible and programmed for use with the invention'selectro-active lenses. This innovative embodiment is used to measureone's refractive error, while the patient or wearer is wearing his orher electro-active spectacles. This feedback is fed automatically ormanually into a controller and/or programmer, which then calibrates,programs or reprograms the controller of the user/wearer'selectro-active spectacles. In this innovative embodiment, one'selectro-active spectacles can be re-calibrated as needed withoutrequiring full eye examination or eye refraction.

In certain other inventive embodiments, one's vision correction iscorrected, by way of one's electro-active lenses, to 20/20. This isobtained in most cases by correcting one's conventional refractive error(myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and/or presbyopia). In certain otherinventive embodiments, non-conventional refractive error such asaberrations, irregular astigmatism, and/or ocular layer irregularitiesof the eye are measured and corrected, as well as conventionalrefractive error (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and/or presbyopia). Inthe inventive embodiments whereby aberrations, irregular astigmatism,and/or ocular layer irregularities of the eye are corrected in additionto conventional refractive error, one's vision can be corrected in manycases to better than 20/20, such as to 20/15, to better than 20/15, to20/10, and/or to better than 20/10.

This advantageous error correction is accomplished by utilizing theelectro-active lenses in the eyewear effectively as an adaptive optic.Adaptive optics have been demonstrated and in use for many years tocorrect for atmospheric distortion in ground-based astronomicaltelescopes, as well as for laser transmission through the atmosphere forcommunications and military applications. In these cases, segmented or“rubber” mirrors are usually employed to make small corrections to thewave front of the image or laser lightwave. These mirrors aremanipulated by mechanical actuators in most cases.

Adaptive optics, as applied to vision, is based on active probing of theocular system with a light beam, such as an eye-safe laser, and measuresthe wavefront distortion of either the retinal reflection or the imagecreated on the retina. This form of wavefront analysis assumes a planeor spherical probe wave and measures the distortion imparted on thiswavefront by the ocular system. By comparing the initial wavefront withthe distorted one, a skilled examiner can determine what abnormalitiesexist in the ocular system and prescribe an appropriate correctiveprescription. There are several competing designs for wavefrontanalyzers, however, the adaption of the electro-active lenses describedhere for use as either a transmissive or reflective spatial lightmodulator to perform such wavefront analysis is included within theinvention. Examples of wavefront analyzers are provided in U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,777,719 (Williams) and 5,949,521 (Williams), each of which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, however, smallcorrections or adjustments are made to the electro-active lenses so thatan image lightwave is imparted by a grid array of electrically drivenpixels whose index of refraction can be altered, accelerating or slowingdown the light passing through them by the alterable index. In this way,the electro-active lens becomes an adaptive optic, which can compensatefor the inherent spatial imperfection in the optics of the eye itself inorder to obtain a nearly aberration-free image on the retina.

In certain inventive embodiments, because the electro-active lens isfully two-dimensional, fixed spatial aberrations caused by the eye'soptical system can be compensated for by incorporating the small indexof refraction corrections on top of the gross vision correctionprescription needs of the patient/user. In this way, vision can becorrected to a level of better than what could be achieved with commonconvergence and accommodation corrections, and, in many cases, couldresult in vision better than 20/20.

In order to achieve this better than 20/20 correction, the patient'socular aberrations can be measured by, for example, a modified autorefractor utilizing a wavefront sensor or analyzer designed specificallyfor eye aberration measurements. Once the ocular aberrations and othertypes of non-conventional refractive error have been determined in bothmagnitude and spatially, the controller in the eyewear can be programmedto incorporate the 2-D spatially-dependent index of refraction changesto compensate for these aberrations and other types of non-conventionalrefractive error in addition to the overall myopia, hyperopia,presbyopia, and/or astigmatism correction. Thus, embodiments of theelectro-active lens of the present invention can electro-activelycorrect for aberrations of the patient's ocular system or created by thelens optic.

Thus, for example, a certain power correction of −3.50 diopters may berequired in a certain electro-active divergent lens to correct awearer's myopia. In this case, an array of different voltages, V₁ . . .V_(N), is applied to the M elements in the grid array to generate anarray of different indices of refraction, N₁ . . . N_(M), which give theelectro-active lens a power of −3.50 diopters. However, certain elementsin the grid array may require up to plus or minus 0.50 units change intheir index N₁ . . . N_(M) to correct for ocular aberrations and/ornon-conventional refractive error. The small voltage deviationscorresponding to these changes are applied to the appropriate gridelement, in addition to the base myopia-correcting voltages.

In order to detect, quantify, and/or correct as much as possible fornon-conventional refractive error such as irregular astigmatism, ocularrefractive irregularities, such as for example, the tear layer on thefront of the cornea, the front, or back of the cornea, aqueousirregularities, the front or back of the lenticular lens, vitreousirregularities, or for other aberrations caused by the ocular refractivesystem itself, the electro-active refractor/phoropter is used accordingto an embodiment of the inventive prescription method 600 of FIG. 6.

At step 610, either a conventional refractor, an electro-activerefractor having both conventional and electro-active lenses, or anelectro-active refractor having only electro-active lenses, or anauto-refractor, is utilized to measure one's refractive error usingconventional lens powers such as minus power (for myopes), plus power(for hyperopes), cylindrical power and axis (for astigmatism) and prismpower when needed. Utilizing this approach, one will get what is knowntoday as the patient's BVA (best visual acuity) by way of conventionalcorrective refractive error. However, certain embodiments of theinvention allow for improving one's vision beyond what today'sconventional refractor/phoropters will achieve.

Therefore, step 610 provides for further refinement of one'sprescription in a non-conventional inventive way. In step 610, theprescription, which accomplishes this end point, is programmed into theelectro-active refractor. The patient is properly positioned to lookthrough the electro-active lenses having a multi-grid electro-activestructure into a modified and compatible autorefractor or a wavefrontanalyzer, which automatically measures precisely the refractive error.This refractive error measurement detects and quantifies as muchnon-conventional refractive errors as possible. This measurement istaken through a small, approximately 4.29 mm, targeted area of eachelectro-active lens, while automatically computing the necessaryprescription to achieve the best focus on the fovea along theline-of-sight while the patient is looking through the targeted area ofthe electro-active lens. Once this measurement is made thisnon-conventional correction is either stored in thecontroller/programmer memory for future use or it is then programmedinto the controller that controls the electro-active lenses. This, ofcourse, is repeated for both eyes.

At step 620, the patient or wearer now may at their option elect to usea control unit which will allow them to further refine the conventionalrefractive error correction, the non-conventional refractive errorcorrection, or a combination of both, and thus the final prescription,to their liking. Alternatively, or in addition, the eyecare professionalmay refine it, until in some cases no further refinement is performed.At this point, an improved BVA for the patient, better than anyavailable via conventional techniques, will be achieved.

At step 630, any further refined prescription is then programmed intothe controller, which controls the electro-active lenses' prescription.At step 640, the programmed electro-active spectacles are dispensed.

While the preceding steps 610 through 640 present an embodiment of oneinventive method, depending upon the eyecare professional's judgement orapproach, numerous different but similar approaches could be used todetect, quantify, and/or correct one's vision using solelyelectro-active refractors/phoropters or in combination with wavefrontanalyzers. Any method, no matter in what sequence, that utilizes anelectro-active refractor/phoropter to detect, quantify, and/or correctone's vision, whether in conjunction with a wavefront analyzer or not,is considered part of the invention. For example, in certain inventiveembodiments, steps 610 through 640 may be performed in either a modifiedway or even a different sequence. Furthermore, in embodiments of certainother inventive methods, the targeted area of the lens referred to instep 610 is within the range of about 3.0 millimeters in diameter toabout 8.0 millimeters in diameter. Still in other inventive embodiments,the targeted area can be anywhere from about 2.0 millimeters in diameterup to the area of the entire lens.

Although this discussion has thus far concentrated on refraction usingvarious forms of electro-active lenses alone or in combination withwavefront analyzers to perform the eye examination of the future, thereis another possibility that new emerging technology may allow simply forobjective measurements, thus potentially eliminating the need for apatient's communicated response or interaction. Many of the inventiveembodiments described and/or claimed herein are intended to work withany type of measuring system, whether objective, subjective, or acombination of both.

Turning now to the electro-active lens itself, as discussed above, anembodiment of the present invention concerns an electro-activerefractor/phoropter that has a novel electro-active lens, that caneither be of a hybrid or of a non-hybrid construction. By hybridconstruction it is meant a combination of a conventional single visionor a multifocal lens optic, with at least one electro-active zonelocated on the front surface, back surface, and/or in between the frontand back surfaces, the zone consisting of an electro-active materialhaving the necessary electro-active means to change focus electrically.In certain embodiments of the invention, the electro-active zone isspecifically placed either inside the lens or on the back concavesurface of the lens to protect it from scratches and other normal wear.In the embodiment where the electro-active zone is included as part ofthe front convex surface, in most cases a scratch resistant coating isapplied. The combination of the conventional single vision lens or aconventional multifocal lens and the electro-active zone gives the totallens power of the hybrid lens design. By non-hybrid it is meant a lenswhich is electro-active whereby mostly 100% of its refractive power isgenerated solely by its electro-active nature.

FIG. 7 is a front view, and FIG. 8 is a section view taken along lineA—A, of an embodiment of an exemplary hybrid electro-active spectaclelens 700. In this illustrative example, lens 700 includes a lens optic710. Attached to lens optic 710 is an electro-active refractive matrix720, that can have one or more electro-active regions that occupy all ora portion of electro-active refractive matrix 720. Also attached to lensoptic 710 and at least partially surrounding electro-active refractivematrix 720 is framing layer 730. Lens optic 710 includes an astigmaticpower correction region 740 having an astigmatic axis A—A rotated, inthis specific example only, approximately 45 degrees clockwise fromhorizontal. Covering electro-active refractive matrix 720 and framinglayer 730 is an optional cover layer 750.

As will be discussed further, electro-active refractive matrix 720 caninclude a liquid crystal and/or a polymer gel. Electro-active refractivematrix 720 can also include an alignment layer, a metallic layer, aconducting layer, and/or an insulating layer.

In an alternative embodiment, astigmatic correction region 740 iseliminated so that lens optic 710 corrects for sphere power only. Inanother alternative embodiment, lens optic 710 can correct for eitherfar distance, near distance, and/or both, and any sort of conventionalrefractive error, including spheric, cylindric, prismatic, and/oraspheric errors. Electro-active refractive matrix 720 can also correctfor near distance, and/or for non-conventional refractive error such asaberrations. In other embodiments, electro-active refractive matrix 720can correct any sort of conventional or non-conventional refractiveerror and lens optic 710 can correct for conventional refractive error.

It has been discovered that an electro-active lens having a hybridconstruction approach has certain distinct advantages over that of anon-hybrid lens. These advantages are lower electrical power needs,smaller battery size, longer battery life expectancy, less complexelectrical circuitry, fewer conductors, fewer insulators, lowermanufacturing costs, increased optical transparency, and increasedstructural integrity. However, it must be noted that non-hybridelectro-active lenses have their own set of advantages, includingreduced thickness and mass manufacturing.

It also has been discovered that both the non-hybrid, and in someembodiments, the full field hybrid and partial field hybrid approach,will allow for mass manufacturing of a very limited number of SKUs(Stock Keeping Units) when, for example, the electro-active structuraldesign utilized is that of a multi-grid electro-active structure. Inthis case, it would only be necessary when mass manufacturing to focusprimarily on a limited number of differentiated features such ascurvature and size for the wearer's anatomical compatibility.

To understand the significance of this improvement, one must understandthe number of traditional lens blanks needed to address mostprescriptions. About 95% of corrective prescriptions include a spherepower correction within a range of −6.00 diopters to +6.00 diopters, in0.25 diopter increments. Based on this range, there are about 49commonly prescribed sphere powers. Of those prescriptions that includean astigmatism correction, about 95% fall within the range of −4.00diopters to +4.00 diopters, in 0.25 diopter increments. Based on thisrange, there are about 33 commonly prescribed astigmatic (or cylinder)powers. Because astigmatism has an axis component, however, there areabout 360 degrees of astigmatic axis orientations, which are typicallyprescribed in 1 degree increments. Thus, there are 360 differentastigmatic axis prescriptions.

Moreover, many prescriptions include a bifocal component to correct forpresbyopia. Of those prescriptions that have a presbyopic correction,about 95% fall within the range of +1.00 to +3.00 diopters, in 0.25diopter increments, thereby resulting in about 9 commonly prescribedpresbyopic powers.

Because some embodiments of the invention can provide for spherical,cylindrical, axis, and presbyopic corrections, one non-hybridelectro-active lens can serve the 5,239,080 (=49×33×360x−9) differentprescriptions. Thus, one non-hybrid electro-active lens can eliminatethe need to mass manufacture and/or stock numerous lens blank SKUs, andof possibly greater importance, can eliminate the need to grind andpolish each lens blank to a particular patient's prescription.

To account for the various lens curvatures that may be needed toaccommodate anatomical issues such as face shape, eyelash length, etc.,somewhat more than one non-hybrid electro-active lens SKU could be massmanufactured and/or stocked. Nevertheless, the number of SKU's could bereduced from millions to about five or less.

In the case of the hybrid electro-active lens, it has been discoveredthat by correcting for conventional refractive error with the lens opticand utilizing a mostly centered electro-active layer, it is possible toalso reduce the number of SKU's needed. Referring to FIG. 7, lens 700can be rotated as needed to place astigmatic axis A—A in the neededposition. Thus, the number of hybrid lens blanks needed can be reducedby a factor of 360. Moreover, the electro-active zone of the hybrid lenscan provide the presbyopic correction, thereby reducing by a factor of 9the number of lens blanks needed. Thus, a hybrid electro-active lensembodiment can reduce from more than 5 million to 1619 (=49×33) thenumber of lens blanks needed. Because it may be reasonably possible tomass manufacture and/or stock this number of hybrid lens blank SKUs, theneed for grinding and polishing may be eliminated.

Nevertheless, grinding and polishing semi-finished hybrid lens blanksinto finished lens blanks remains a possibility. FIG. 28 is aperspective view of an embodiment of a semi-finished lens blank 2800. Inthis embodiment, semi-finished lens blank 2800 has a lens optic 2810with a finished surface 2820, an unfinished surface 2830, and a partialfield electro-active refractive matrix 2840. In another embodiment,semi-finished lens blank 2800 can have a full field electro-activelayer. Moreover, the electro-active structure of semi-finished lensblank 2800 can be multi-grid or single interconnect. Further,semi-finished lens blank 2800 can have refractive and/or diffractivecharacteristics.

In either the hybrid or the non-hybrid embodiment of the electro-activelens, a significant number of needed correcting prescriptions can becreated and customized by the electro-active lens which can be adjustedand controlled by a controller that has been customized and/orprogrammed for the patient's specific prescription needs. Thus, themillions of prescriptions and numerous lens styles, single vision lensblanks, as well as the numerous multifocal semi-finished lens blanks maybe no longer needed. In fact, most lens and frame manufacturing anddistribution, as we know it may be revolutionized.

It should be noted that the invention includes both non-hybridelectro-active lenses, as well as full and partial field specific hybridelectro-active lenses that are either pre-manufactured electroniceyewear (frame and/or lenses) or customized electronic eyewear at thetime of delivery to the patient or customer. In the case of the eyewearbeing pre-fabricated and assembled, both the frames and the lenses arepre-made with the lenses already edged and put into the eyeglass frames.Also considered to be part of the invention is the programmable andre-programmable controller as well as the mass production of frames andlenses having the necessary electric components which can beprefabricated and sent to the eyecare professional's site or some othersite for either the installation of, for example, a programmedcontroller, and/or one or more controller components, for the patient'sprescription.

In certain cases the controller, and/or one or more controllercomponents, can be part of the pre-manufactured frame and electro-activelens assembly and then programmed at either the eyecare professional'ssite or some other site. The controller, and/or one or more controllercomponents, can be in the form, for example, of a chip or a thin filmand can be housed in the frame, on the frame, in the lens, or on thelens of the eyeglasses. The controller, and/or one or more controllercomponents, can be re-programmable or not re-programmable based upon thebusiness strategy to be implemented. In the case where the controller,and/or one or more controller components, is re-programmable, this willallow for the repeated updating of one's prescriptions as long as thepatient or customer is happy with his or her eyeglass frames as well asthe cosmetic appearance and functionality of the electro-active lenses.

In the case of the latter, the non-hybrid and hybrid electro-active lensembodiments just discussed, the lenses must be structurally sound enoughin order to protect the eye from injury from a foreign object. In theUnited States, most eyewear lenses must pass a FDA required impact test.In order to meet these requirements, it is important that a supportstructure is built into or on the lens. In the case of the hybrid type,this is accomplished, for example, utilizing either a prescription ornon-prescription single vision or multifocal lens optic as a structuralbase. For example, the structural base for the hybrid type can be madeout of polycarbonate. In the case of the non-hybrid lens, in certainembodiments, the electro-active material selected and thickness accountsfor this needed structure. In other embodiments, the non-prescriptioncarrier base or substrate onto which the electro-active material ispositioned accounts for this needed protection.

When utilizing electro-active zones in spectacle lenses in certainhybrid designs, it can be essential to maintain proper distancecorrection when a power interruption to the lenses occurs. In the caseof a battery or wiring failure, in some situations it could bedisastrous if the wearer was driving an automobile or piloting anairplane and their distance correction was lost. To prevent suchoccurrences, the inventive design of the electro-active spectacle lensescan provide for the distance correction to be maintained when theelectro-active zones are in the OFF position (the inactivated orunpowered state). In an embodiment of this invention, this can beaccomplished by providing the distance correction with a conventionalfixed focal length optic, whether it be a refractive or a diffractivehybrid type. Any additional add power, therefore, is provided by theelectro-active zone(s). Thus, a fail-safe electro-active system occurs,because the conventional lens optic will preserve the wearer's distancecorrection.

FIG. 9 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of anotherelectro-active lens 900 having a lens optic 910 that is index matched toan electro-active refractive matrix 920. In this illustrative example,the diverging lens optic 910, having an index of refraction, n₁,provides distance correction. Attached to lens optic 910 is theelectro-active refractive matrix 920, which can have an unactivatedstate, and a number of activated states. When electro-active refractivematrix 920 is in its unactivated state, it has an index of refractionn₂, which approximately matches the index of refraction, n₁, of lensoptic 910. More accurately, when unactivated, n₂ is within 0.05refractive units of n₁. Surrounding electro-active refractive matrix 920is framing layer 930, which has an index of refraction, n₃, that alsoapproximately matches the index of refraction, n₁, of lens optic 910within 0.05 refractive units of n₁.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of anotherelectro-active lens system 1000. In this illustrative example,electro-active lens 1010 includes a lens optic 1040 and anelectro-active refractive matrix 1050. A rangefinder transmitter 1020 ispositioned on electro-active refractive matrix 1050. Also, a rangefinderdetector/receiver 1030 is positioned on electro-active refractive matrix1050. In an alternative embodiment, either transmitter 1020 or receiver1030 can be positioned in electro-active refractive matrix 1050. Inother alternative embodiments, either transmitter 1020 or receiver 1030can be positioned in or on lens optic 1040. In other embodiments eithertransmitter 1020 or receive 1030 can be positioned on outer coveringlayer 1060. Further, in other embodiments, 1020 and 1030 can bepositioned on any combination of the preceding.

FIG. 11 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a diffractiveelectro-active lens 1100. In this illustrative example, lens optic 1110provides distance correction. Etched on one surface of lens optic 1110is diffractive pattern 1120, having an index of refraction, n.sub.1.Attached to lens optic 1110 and covering diffractive pattern 1120 iselectro-active refractive matrix 1130, which has an index of refraction,n.sub.2, that approximates n.sub.1, when electro-active refractivematrix 1130 is in its unactivated state. Also attached to lens optic1110 is framing layer 1140, which is constructed of material mostlyidentical to lens optic 1110, and which at least partially surroundselectro-active refractive matrix 1120. A covering 1150 is attached overelectro-active refractive matrix 1130 and framing layer 1140. Theframing layer 1140 can also be an extension of lens optic 1110, in whichcan no actual layer is added, however, lens optic 1110 is fabricated soas to frame or circumscribe electro-active refractive matrix 1130.

FIG. 12 is a front view, and FIG. 13 a side view, of an exemplaryembodiment of an electro-active lens 1200 having a multi-focal optic1210 attached to an electro-active framing layer 1220. In thisillustrative example, multi-focal optic 1210 is of a progressiveaddition lens design. Moreover, in this illustrative example,multi-focal optic 1210 includes a first optical refraction focus zone1212 and a second progressive addition optical refraction focus zone1214. Attached to multi-focal optic 1210 is electro-active framing layer1220 having an electro-active region 1222 that is positioned over secondoptical refraction focus zone 1214. A cover layer 1230 is attached toelectro-active framing layer 1220. It should be noted that the framinglayer can be either electro-active or non-electro-active. When theframing layer is electro-active, insulating material is utilized toinsulate the activated region from the non-activated region.

In most inventive cases, but not all, in order to program theelectro-active eyewear to correct one's vision to its optimum, thus,correcting for non-conventional refractive error it is necessary totrack the line-of-sight of each eye by way of tracking the eye movementsof the patient or wearer.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a trackingsystem 1400. Frames 1410 contain electro-active lens 1420. Attached tothe backside of electro-active lens 1420 (that side closest to thewearer's eyes, also referred to as the proximal side), are a trackingsignal sources 1430, such as light emitting diodes. Also attached to thebackside of electro-active lens 1420 are tracking signal receivers 1440,such as light reflection sensors. Receivers 1440, and possibly sources1430, are connected to a controller (not shown) that includes in itsmemory instructions to enable tracking. Utilizing this approach it ispossible to locate very precisely the eye movements up, down, right,left and any variation thereof. This is needed as certain types, but notall, of non-conventional refractive error needs to be corrected andisolated within one's line-of-sight (for example, in the case of aspecific corneal irregularity or bump that moves as the eye moves).

In various alternative embodiments, sources 1430 and/or receivers 1440can be attached to the backside of frames 1410, embedded in the backsideof frames 1410, and/or embedded in the backside of lenses 1420.

An important portion of any spectacle lens, including the electro-activespectacle lens, is the portion used to produce the sharpest imagequality within the user's field of view. While a healthy person can seeapproximately 90 degrees to either side, the sharpest visual acuity islocated within a smaller field of view, corresponding to the portion ofthe retina with the best visual acuity. This region of the retina isknown as the fovea, and is approximately a circular region measuring0.40 mm in diameter on the retina. Additionally, the eye images thescene through the entire pupil diameter, so the pupil diameter will alsoaffect the size of the most critical portion of the spectacle lens. Theresulting critical region of the spectacle lens is simply the sum of thediameter of the eye's pupil diameter added to the projection of thefovea's field of view onto the spectacle lens.

The typical range for the eye's pupil diameter is from 3.0 to 5.5 mm,with a most common value of 4.0 mm. The average fovea diameter isapproximately 0.4 mm.

The typical range for the size of the fovea's projected dimension ontothe spectacle lens is affected by such parameters as the length of theeye, the distance from the eye to the spectacle lens, etc.

The tracking system of this specific inventive embodiment then locatesthe regions of the electro-active lens that correlate to the eyemovements relative to the fovial region of the patient's retina. This isimportant as the invention's software is programmed to always correctfor the non-conventional refractive error that is correctable as the eyemoves. Thus, it is necessary in most, but not all, inventive embodimentsthat correct for non-conventional refractive error to electro-activelyalter the area of the lens that the line-of-sight is passing through asthe eyes fixate their target or gaze. In other words, in this specificinventive embodiment the vast majority of the electro-active lenscorrects for conventional refractive error and as the eye moves thetargeted electro-active area focus moves as well by way of the trackingsystem and software to correct for the non-conventional refractive errortaking into account the angle in which the line-of-sight intersectsdifferent sections of the lens and factoring this into the finalprescription for that specific area.

In most, but not all, inventive embodiments, the tracking system andenabling software is utilized to correct one's vision to its maximum,while looking or gazing at distant objects. When looking at near pointsthe tracking system, if used, is utilized to both calculate the range ofnear point focus in order to correct for one's accommodative andconvergence near or intermediate range focusing needs. This of course isprogrammed into the electro-active eyewear controller, and/or one ormore controller components, as part of the patient or wearers'prescription. In still other inventive embodiments a range finder and/ortracking system is incorporated either into the lenses and/or frames.

It should be pointed out that in other inventive embodiments such asthose that correct for certain types of non-conventional refractiveerror, such as, for example, irregular astigmatism, in most but not allcases, the electro-active lenses do not need to track the patient orwearer's eye. In this case the overall electro-active lens is programmedto correct for this, as well as the other conventional refractive errorof the patient.

Also, since aberrations are directly related to the viewing distance, ithas been discovered that they can be corrected in relation to theviewing distance. That is, once the aberration or aberrations have beenmeasured, it is possible to correct for these aberrations in theelectro-active refractive matrix by way of segregating theelectro-active regions so as to electro-actively correct for aberrationsfor specific distances such as distance vision, intermediate vision,and/or near vision. For example, the electro-active lens can besegregated into a far vision, intermediate vision, and near visioncorrective zones, each the software controlling each zone causing thezone to correct for those aberrations that impact the correspondingviewing distance. Therefore in this specific inventive embodiment, wherethe electro-active refractive matrix is segregated for differentdistances whereby each segregated region corrects for specificaberrations of a specific distance, it is possible to correct fornon-refractive error without a tracking mechanism.

Finally, it should be pointed out that in another inventive embodiment,it is possible to accomplish the correction of the non-conventionalrefractive error, such as that caused by aberrations, without physicallyseparating the electro-active regions and without tracking. In thisembodiment, using the viewing distance as an input, the software adjuststhe focus of a given electro-active area to account for the correctionneeded for an aberration that would otherwise impact the vision at thegiven viewing distance.

Furthermore, it has been discovered that either a hybrid or non-hybridelectro-active lens can be designed to have a full field or a partialfield effect. By full field effect it is meant that the electro-activerefractive matrix or layers cover the vast majority of the lens regionwithin an eyeglass frame. In the case of a full field, the entireelectro-active area can be adjusted to the desired power. Also, a fullfield electro-active lens can be adjusted to provide a partial field.However, a partial field electro-active specific lens design can not beadjusted to a full field due to the circuitry needed to make it partialfield specific. In the case of a full field lens adjusted to become apartial field lens, a partial section of the electro-active lens can beadjusted to the desired power.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of anotherelectro-active lens system 1500. Frames 1510 contain electro-activelenses 1520, which have a partial field 1530.

For purposes of comparison, FIG. 16 is a perspective view of anexemplary embodiment of yet another electro-active lens system 1600. Inthis illustrative example, frames 1610 contain electro-active lenses1620, which have a full field 1630.

In certain inventive embodiments the multifocal electro-active optic ispre-manufactured and in some cases, due to the significantly reducednumber of SKU's required, even inventoried at the dispensing location asa finished multifocal electro-active lens blank. This inventiveembodiment allows for the dispensing site to simply fit and edge theinventoried multifocal electro-active lens blanks into the electronicenabling frames. While in most cases this invention could be of apartial field specific type electro-active lens, it should be understoodthis would work for full field electro-active lenses, as well.

In one hybrid embodiment of the invention, a conventional single visionlens optic being of aspheric design or non-aspheric design having atoric surface for correction of astigmatism and a spherical surface isutilized to provide the distance power needs. If astigmatic correctionis needed the appropriate power single vision lens optic would beselected and rotated to the proper astigmatic axis location. Once thisis done the single vision lens optic could be edged for the eye wireframe style and size. The electro-active refractive matrix could then beapplied on the single vision lens optic or the electro-active refractivematrix can be applied prior to edging and the total lens unit can beedged later. It should be pointed out that, for edging whereby theelectro-active refractive matrix is affixed to a lens optic, either asingle vision or multifocal electro-active optic, prior to edging, anelectro-active material such as a polymer gel may be advantageous over aliquid crystal material.

The electro-active refractive matrix can be applied to compatible lensoptics by way of different technologies known in the art. Compatiblelens optics are optics whose curves and surfaces will accept theelectro-active refractive matrix properly from the stand point ofbonding, aesthetics, and/or proper final lens power. For example,adhesives can be utilized applying the adhesive directly to the lensoptic and then laying down the electro-active layer. Also, theelectro-active refractive matrix can be manufactured so it is attachedto a release film in which case it can be removed and reattachedadhesively to the lens optic. Also, it can be attached to two-way filmcarrier of which the carrier itself is attached adhesively to the lensoptic. Furthermore, it can be applied utilizing a Surface Castingtechnique in which case the electro-active refractive matrix is createdin-situ.

In previously mentioned hybrid embodiment, FIG. 12, a combination of astatic and non-static approach is used to satisfy one's mid and nearpoint vision needs, a multifocal progressive lens 1210 having the properneeded distance correction and having, for example, approximately +1.00diopter (or “D”) of full near add power is utilized in lieu of thesingle vision lens optic. In utilizing this embodiment theelectro-active refractive matrix 1220 can be placed on either side ofthe multifocal progressive lens optic, as well as buried inside the lensoptic. This electro-active refractive matrix is utilized to provide foradditional add power.

When utilizing a lower add power in the lens optic than required by theoverall multifocal lens, the final add power is the total additive powerof the low multifocal add and the additional required near powergenerated by way of the electro-active layer. For example only; if amultifocal progressive addition lens optic had an add power of +1.00 andthe electro-active refractive matrix created a near power of +1.00 thetotal near power for the hybrid electro-active lens would be +2.00D.Utilizing this approach, it is possible to significantly reduce unwantedperceived distortions from multi-focal lenses, specifically progressiveaddition lenses.

In certain hybrid electro-active embodiments whereby a multifocalprogressive addition lens optic is utilized, the electro-activerefractive matrix is utilized to subtract out unwanted astigmatism. Thisis accomplished by neutralizing or substantially reducing the unwantedastigmatism through an electro-actively created neutralizing powercompensation solely in the areas of the lens where the unwantedastigmatism exists.

In certain inventive embodiments decentration of the partial field isneeded. When applying a decentered partial field electro-activerefractive matrix it is necessary to align the electro-active refractivematrix in such a way to accommodate the proper astigmatic axis locationof the single vision lens optic so as to allow for correcting one'sastigmatism, should it exist, as well as locating the electronicvariable power field in the proper location for one's eyes. Also, it isnecessary with the partial field design to align the partial fieldlocation to allow for proper decentration placement with regards to thepatient's pupillary needs. It has been further discovered that unlikeconventional lenses where the static bifocal, multifocal or progressiveregions are always placed to always be below one's distance-viewinggaze, the use of an electro-active lens allows for certain manufacturingfreedom not available to conventional multifocal lenses. Therefore, someembodiments of the invention, the electro-active region is located whereone would typically find the distance, intermediate, and near visionregions of a conventional non-electro-active multi-focal lens. Forexample, the electro-active region can be placed above the 180 meridianof the lens optic, thereby allowing the multifocal near vision zone tobe occasionally provided above the 180 meridian of the lens optic.Providing the near vision zone above the 180 meridian of the lens opticcan be especially useful for those spectacle wearers working at closedistances to an object directly in front or overhead of the wearer, suchas working with a computer monitor, or nailing picture frames overhead.

In the case of a non-hybrid electro-active lens or both the hybrid fullfield lens and for example, a 35 mm diameter hybrid partial field lens,the electro-active layer, as stated before, can be applied directly toeither the single vision lens optic, or pre-manufactured with a lensoptic creating electro-active finished multifocal lens blanks, or themultifocal progressive lens optic, prior to edging the lens for theshape of the frame's lens mounting. This allows for pre-assembly ofelectro-active lens blanks, as well as being able to inventory stockfinished, but not edged electro-active lens blanks, thus allowing forjust in time eyeglass fabrication at any channel of distribution,including the doctor or optician's offices. This will allow all opticaldispensaries to be able to offer fast service with minimal needs forexpensive fabrication equipment. This benefits manufacturers, retailers,and their patients, the consumers.

Considering the size of the partial field, it has been shown, forexample, in one inventive embodiment that the partial field specificregion could be a 35 mm diameter centered or decentered round design. Itshould be pointed out that the diameter size can vary depending upon theneeds. In certain inventive embodiments 22 mm, 28 mm, 30 mm, and 36 mmround diameters are utilized.

The size of the partial field can depend on the structure of theelectro-active refractive matrix and/or the electro-active field. Atleast two such structures are contemplated as within the scope of thepresent invention, namely, a single-interconnect electro-activestructure and a multi-grid electro-active structure.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens1700 having a single interconnect structure. Lens 1700 includes a lensoptic 1710 and an electro-active refractive matrix 1720. Withinelectro-active refractive matrix 1720, an insulator 1730 separates anactivated partial field 1740 from a framed non-activated field (orregion) 1750. A single wire or conducting strip interconnect 1760connects the activated field to a power supply and/or controller. Notethat in most, if not all, embodiments, a single-interconnect structurehas a single pair of electrical conductors coupling it to a powersource.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens1800 having a multi-grid structure. Lens 1800 includes a lens optic 1810and an electro-active refractive matrix 1820. Within electro-activerefractive matrix 1820, an insulator 1830 separates an activated partialfield 1840 from a framed non-activated field (or region) 1850. Aplurality of wire interconnects 1860 connect the activated field to apower supply and/or controller.

When utilizing the smaller diameters for the partial field, it has beendiscovered that the electro-active thickness differential from edge tocenter of the partial field specific region when utilizing a singleinterconnect electro-active structure can be minimized. This has a verypositive role in minimizing the electrical power needs, as well asnumber of electro-active layers required, especially for the singleinterconnect structure. This is not always the case for the partialfield specific region whereby it utilizes a multi-grid electro-activestructure. When utilizing a single interconnect electro-activestructure, in many inventive embodiments, but not all, multiple singleinterconnect electro-active structures are layered within or on the lensso as to allow for multiple electro-active layers creating for example,a total combined electro-active power of +2.50D. In this inventiveexample only, five +0.50D single interconnect layers could be placed oneon top of each other separated only in most cases, by insulating layers.In this way, the proper electrical power can create the necessaryrefractive index change for each layer by way of minimizing theelectrical needs of one thick single interconnect layer which in somecases would be impractical to energize properly.

It should be further pointed out in the invention, certain embodimentshaving multiple single interconnect electro-active layers can beenergized in a preprogrammed sequence to allow one to have the abilityto focus over a range of distances. For example, two +0.50D singleinterconnect electro-active layers could be energized, creating a +1.00Dintermediate focus to allow for a +2.00D presbyope to see at finger tipdistance and then two additional +0.50D single interconnectelectro-active layers could be energized to give the +2.00D presbyopethe ability to read as close as 16 inches. It should be understood thatthe exact number of electro-active layers, as well as the power of eachlayer, can vary depending upon the optical design, as well as the totalpower needed to cover a specific range of near and intermediate visiondistances for a specific presbyope.

Furthermore, in certain other inventive embodiments, a combination ofeither one or more single interconnect electro-active layers are presentin the lens in combination with a multi-grid electro-active structurallayer. Once again, this gives one the ability of focusing for a range ofintermediate and near distances assuming the proper programming.Finally, in other inventive embodiments, only a multi-gridelectro-active structure is utilized either in a hybrid or non-hybridlens. Either way, the multi-grid electro-active structure in combinationwith a properly programmed electro-active eyewear controller, and/or oneor more controller components, would allow for the ability to focus overa broad range of intermediate and near distances.

Also, semi-finished electro-active lens blanks that would allow forsurfacing are also within the scope of the invention. In this case,either a decentered, centered, partial field electro-active refractivematrix incorporated with the blank, or a full field electro-activerefractive matrix is incorporated with the blank and then surfaced tothe correct prescription needed.

In certain embodiments the variable power electro-active field islocated over the entire lens and adjusts as a constant spherical powerchange over the entire surface of the lens to accommodate one's workingnear vision focusing needs. In other embodiments the variable powerfield adjusts over the entire lens as a constant spherical power changewhile at the same time creating an aspherical peripheral power effect inorder to reduce distortion and aberrations. In some of the embodimentsmentioned above, the distance power is corrected by way of either thesingle vision, multifocal finished lens blanks, or the multifocalprogressive lens optic. The electro-active optical layer corrects mainlyfor the working distance focusing needs. It should be noted this is notalways the case. It is possible, in some cases, to utilize either asingle vision, multifocal finished lens optic, or multifocal progressivelens optic for distance spherical power only and correct near visionworking power and astigmatism through the electro-active refractivematrix or utilize either the single vision or multifocal lens optic tocorrect astigmatism only and correct the sphere power and near visionworking power through the electro-active layer. Also, it is possible toutilize a piano, single vision, multifocal finished lens optic, orprogressive multifocal lens optic and correct the distance sphere andastigmatism needs by way of the electro-active layer.

It should be pointed out that with the invention, the power correctionneeded, whether prismatic, spherical or aspheric power as well as totaldistance power needs, mid range power needs and near point power needs,can be accomplished by way of any number of additive power components.These include the utilization of a single vision or finished multifocallens optic providing all the distance spherical power needs, some of thedistance spherical power needs, all of the astigmatic power needs, someof the astigmatic power needs, all of the prismatic power needs, some ofthe prismatic power needs, or any combination of the above when combinedwith the electro-active layer, will provide for one's total focusingneeds.

It has been discovered that the electro-active refractive matrix allowsfor the utilization of adaptive optic correction-like techniques tomaximize one's vision through his or her electro-active lenses eitherprior or after final fabrication. This can be accomplished by way ofallowing the patient or intended wearer to look through theelectro-active lens or lenses and adjusting them manually, or by way ofa special designed automatic refractor that almost instantly willmeasure conventional and/or non-conventional refractive error and willcorrect any remaining refractive error be it spherical, astigmatic,aberrations, etc. This technique will allow for the wearer to achieve20/10 or better vision in many cases.

Furthermore, it should be pointed out that in certain embodiments aFresnell power lens layer is utilized along with the single vision ormultifocal or multifocal lens blank or optic as well as theelectro-active layer. For example: the Fresnell layer is utilized toprovide spherical power and thereby reduce lens thickness, the singlevision lens optic to correct astigmatism, and the electro-activerefractive matrix to correct for mid and near distance focusing needs.

As discussed above, in another embodiment a diffractive optic isutilized along with the single vision lens optic and the electro-activelayer. In this approach the diffractive optic, which provides foradditional focusing correction, further reduces the need for theelectric power, circuitry, and thickness of the electro-active layer.Once again, the combination of any two or more of the following can beutilized in an additive manner to provide the total additive powerneeded for one's spectacle correction power needs. These being aFresnell layer, conventional or non-conventional single vision ormultifocal lens optic, diffractive optic layer, and electro-activerefractive matrix or layers. Furthermore it is possible through anetching process to impart a shape and or effect of a diffractive orFresnel layer into the electro-active material so as to create anon-hybrid or hybrid electro-active optic having a diffractive orFresnel component. Also, it is possible using the electro-active lens tocreate not only conventional lens power, but also prismatic power.

It has also been discovered that utilizing either an approximate 22 mmor a 35 mm diameter round centered hybrid partial field specificelectro-active lens design or an adjustable decentered hybridelectro-active partial field specific design being approximately 30 mmin diameter it is possible to minimize the electrical power circuitryneeds, battery life, and battery size, reducing manufacturing costs andimproving optical transparency of the final electro-active spectaclelens.

In one inventive embodiment, the decentered partial field specificelectro-active lens is located so that the optical center of this fieldis located approximately 5 mm below the optical center of the singlevision lens, while at the same time having the near working distanceelectro-active partial field being decentered nasally or temporally tosatisfy the patient's correct near to intermediate working rangepupillary distance. It should be noted that such a design approach isnot limited to a circular design but could be virtually any shape thatallowed the proper electro-active visual field area needed for one'svision needs. For example, the design could be oval, rectangular, squareshaped, octagonal, partially curved, etc. What is important is theproper placement of the viewing area for either the hybrid partial fieldspecific designs or hybrid full field designs that have the ability toachieve partial fields as well as non-hybrid full field designs thatalso have the ability to achieve partial fields.

Further it has been discovered that the electro-active refractive matrixin many cases (but not all) is utilized having an uneven thickness. Thatis, the metallic and conductive surrounding layers are not parallel andthe gel polymer thickness varies to create a convergent or divergentlens shape. It is possible to employ such a non-uniform thicknesselectro-active refractive matrix in a non-hybrid embodiment or in ahybrid mode with a single vision or multifocal lens optic. This presentsa wide variety of adjustable lens powers through various combinations ofthese fixed and electrically adjustable lenses. In some inventiveembodiments, the single interconnect electro-active refractive matrixutilizes non-parallel sides creating a non-uniform thickness of theelectro-active structure. However, in most inventive embodiments, butnot all, the multi-grid electro-active structure utilizes a parallelstructure, which creates a uniform thickness of the electro-activestructure.

To illustrate some of the possibilities, a convergent single vision lensoptic may be bonded to a convergent electro-active lens to create ahybrid lens assembly. Depending upon the electro-active lens materialused, the electrical voltage may either increase or reduce therefractive index. Adjusting the voltage up to reduce the index ofrefraction would change the final lens assembly power to give less pluspower, as shown in the first row of Table 1 for different combinationsof fixed and electro-active lens power. If adjusting the applied voltageup increases the index of refraction of the electro-active lens optic,the final hybrid lens assembly power changes as shown in Table 2 fordifferent combinations of fixed and electro-active lens power. It shouldbe noted that, in this embodiment of the invention, only a singleapplied voltage difference is required across the electro-active layer.

TABLE 1 S.V. or M.F. Electro- Lens Optic Active Index of (Distance LensVoltage Refractive Final Hybrid Lens Vision) Power Change ChangeAssembly Power + + − − Less Plus + − − − More Plus − + − − More Minus −− − − Less Minus

TABLE 2 S.V. or M.F. Electro- Lens Optic Active Index of (Distance LensVoltage Refractive Final Hybrid Lens Vision) Power Change ChangeAssembly Power + + − − More Plus + − − − Less Plus − + − − Less Minus −− − − More Minus

A possible manufacturing process for such a hybrid assembly follows. Inone example, the electro-active polymer gel layer can beinjection-molded, cast, stamped, machined, diamond turned, and/orpolished into a net lens optic shape. The thin metallic layer isdeposited onto both sides of the injection molded or cast polymer gellayer by, for example, sputtering or vacuum deposition. In anotherexemplary embodiment, the deposited thin metallic layer is placed onboth the lens optic and the other side of the injection-molded or castelectro-active material layer. A conductive layer may not be necessary,but if it is, it may also be vacuum deposited or sputtered onto themetallic layer.

Unlike conventional bifocal, multifocal or progressive lenses where thenear vision power segments need to be positioned differently fordifferent multifocal designs the invention can always be placed in onecommon location. For unlike different static power zones utilized by theconventional approach, where the eye moves and the head tilts to utilizesuch zone or zones, the present invention allows one to either lookstraight ahead or slightly up or down, and the entire electro-activepartial or full field adjusts to correct for the necessary near workingdistance. This reduces eye fatigue and head and eye movements.Furthermore, when one needs to look to the distance the adjustableelectro-active refractive matrix adjusts to the correct power needed toclearly see the distant object. In most cases, this would cause theelectro-active adjustable near working distance field to become of pianopower, thus converting or adjusting the hybrid electro-active lens backto a distance vision correction lens or low power multifocal progressivelens correcting distance power. However, this is not always the case.

In some cases it may be advantageous to reduce the thickness of thesingle vision lens optic. For example, the central thickness of a pluslens, or the edge thickness of a minus lens, can be reduced by way ofsome appropriate distance power compensation in the electro-activeadjustable layer. This would apply to a full field or mostly full fieldhybrid electro-active spectacle lens or in all cases of a non-hybridelectro-active spectacle lens.

Once again, it should be pointed out that the adjustable electro-activerefractive matrix does not have to be located in a limited area butcould cover the entire single vision or multifocal lens optic, whateversize area or shape is required of either one. The exact overall size,shape, and location of the electro-active refractive matrix isconstrained only due to performance and aesthetics.

It has also been discovered and is part of the invention that byutilizing the proper front convex and back concave curves of the singlevision or multifocal lens blank or optic it is possible to furtherreduce the complexity of electronics needed for the invention. By way ofproperly selecting the front convex base curves of the single vision ormultifocal lens blank or optic it is possible to minimize the number ofconnecting electrodes needed to activate the electro-active layer. Insome embodiments, only two electrodes are required as the entireelectro-active field area is adjusted by a set amount of electricalpower.

This occurs due to the change of refractive index of the electro-activematerial, which creates, depending upon the placement of theelectro-active layer, a different power front, back, or middleelectro-active layer. Thus the appropriate curvature relationship of thefront and back curves of each layer influences the needed poweradjustment of the electro-active hybrid or non-hybrid lens. In most, butnot all, hybrid designs especially those not utilizing a diffractive orFresnel component it is important that the electro-active refractivematrix does not have its front & back curves parallel to that of thesingle vision or multifocal semifinished blank or single vision ormultifocal finished lens blank it is attached to. One exception to thisis a hybrid design utilizing a multi-grid structure.

It should be pointed out that one embodiment is of a hybridelectro-active lens utilizing less than a full field approach and aminimum of two electrodes. Other embodiments utilize a multi-gridelectro-active refractive matrix approach to create the electro-activerefractive matrix which case multiple electrodes and electricalcircuitry will be required. When utilizing a multi-grid electro-activestructure, it has been discovered that for the boundaries of the gridsthat have been electrically activated to be cosmetically acceptable(mostly invisible), it may be necessary to produce a refractive indexdifferential between adjacent grids of zero to 0.02 units of refractiveindex difference. Depending upon cosmetic demands, the range ofrefractive index differential could be from 0.01 to 0.05 units ofrefractive index differential but in most inventive embodiments thedifference is limited, by way of a controller to a maximum of 0.02 or0.03 units of refractive index difference between adjacent areas.

It is also possible to utilize one or more electro-active layers havingdifferent electro-active structures such as a single-interconnectstructure and/or a multi-grid structure, which can react as needed onceenergized to create the desired additive end focusing power. For exampleonly, one could correct for distance power of a full field by way of theanterior (electro-active layer, distal with respect to the wearer'seyes) and utilize the posterior (i.e. proximal) electro-activerefractive matrix to focus for near vision range utilizing a partialfield specific approach generated by the posterior layer. It shouldbecome readily apparent that utilizing this multi electro-activerefractive matrix approach will allow for increased flexibility whilekeeping the layers extremely thin and reducing the complexity of eachindividual layer. Furthermore, this approach allows for sequencing theindividual layers in as much as one can energize them all at one time,to generate a simultaneous variable additive focusing power effect. Thisvariable focusing effect can be produced in a time lapsed sequence, soas to correct for mid-range focusing needs and near vision rangefocusing needs as one looks from far to near and then create the reverseeffect as one looks from near to far.

The multi electro-active refractive matrix approach also allows forfaster electro-active focusing power response time. This happens due toa combination of factors, one being the reduced electro-active materialthickness needed for each layer of multi electro-active layered lens.Also, because a multi electro-active refractive matrix allows forbreaking up the complexity of a master electro-active refractive matrixinto two or more less complex individual layers which are asked to doless individually than the master electro-active layer.

The following describes the materials and construction of theelectro-active lens, its electrical wiring circuitry, the electricalpower source, the electrical switching technique, software required forfocal length adjustment, and object distance ranging.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of anelectro-active refractive matrix 1900. Attached to both sides of anelectro-active material 1910 are metallic layers 1920. Attached to theopposite side of each metallic layer 1920 are conductive layers 1930.

The electro-active refractive matrix discussed above is a multilayerconstruction consisting of either a polymer gel or liquid crystal as theelectro-active material. However, in certain inventive cases both apolymer gel electro-active refractive matrix and a liquid crystalelectro-active refractive matrix are utilized within the same lens. Forexample: the liquid crystal layer may be utilized to create anelectronic tint or sunglass effect and the polymer gel layer may beutilized to add or subtract power. Both the polymer gel and liquidcrystal has the property that its optical index of refraction can bechanged by an applied electric voltage. The electro-active material iscovered by two nearly transparent metallic layers on either side, and aconductive layer is deposited on each metallic layer to provide goodelectrical connection to these layers. When a voltage is applied acrossthe two conductive layers, an electric field is created between them andthrough the electro-active material, changing the refractive index. Inmost cases, the liquid crystal and in some cases the gels are housed ina sealed encapsulating envelope of a material selected from silicones,polymethacrylate, styrene, proline, ceramic, glass, nylon, mylar andothers.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens2000 having a multi-grid structure. Lens 2000 includes an electro-activematerial 2010 that can, in some embodiments, define a plurality ofpixels, each of which can be separated by a material having electricalinsulating properties. Thus, electro-active material 2010 can define anumber of adjacent zones, each zone containing one or more pixels.

Attached to one side of electro-active material 2010 is a metallic layer2020, which has a grid array of metallic electrodes 2030 separated by amaterial (not shown) having electrical insulating properties. Attachedto the opposite side (not shown) of electro-active material 2010 is asymmetrically identical metallic layer 2020. Thus, each electro-activepixel is matched to a pair of electrodes 2030 to define a grid elementpair.

Attached to metallic layer 2020 is a conductive layer 2040 having aplurality of interconnect vias 2050 each separated by a material (notshown) having electrical insulating properties. Each interconnect via2050 electrically couples one grid element pair to a power supply and/orcontroller. In an alternative embodiment, some and/or all ofinterconnect vias 2050 can connect more than one grid element pair to apower supply and/or controller.

It should be noted that in some embodiments, metallic layer 2020 iseliminated. In other embodiments, metallic layer 2020 is replaced by analignment layer.

In certain inventive embodiments the front (distal) surface,intermediate surface, and/or back surface can be made of a materialcomprising a conventional photochromatic component. This photochromaticcomponent may or may not be utilized with an electronic produced tintfeature associated as part of the electro-active lens. In the event thatit is utilized it would provide an additive tint in a complimentarymanner. It should be pointed out, however, in many inventive embodimentsthe photochromatic material is used solely with the electro-active lenswithout an electronic tint component. The photochromatic material can beincluded in an electro-active lens layer by way of the layer compositionor added later to the electro-active refractive matrix or added as partof an outer layer either on the front or the back of the lens.Furthermore, the electro-active lenses of the invention can behard-coated front, back, or both can be coated with an anti-reflectioncoating as desired.

This construction is referred to as a sub-assembly and it can beelectrically controlled to create either a prismatic power, spherepower, astigmatic power correction, aspheric correction, or aberrationcorrection of the wearer. Furthermore, the subassembly can be controlledto mimic that of a Fresnell or diffractive surface. In one embodiment,if more than one type of correction is needed, two or moresub-assemblies can be juxtaposed, separated by an electricallyinsulating layer. The insulating layer may be comprised of siliconeoxide. In another embodiment, the same subassembly is utilized to createmultiple power corrections. Either of the two sub-assembly embodimentsjust discussed can be made of two different structures. This firststructural embodiment allows that each of the layers, the electro-activelayer, conductor, and metal, are contiguous, that is, continuous layersof material, thus forming a single-interconnect structure. The secondstructural embodiment (as shown in FIG. 20) utilizes metallic layers inthe form of a grid or array, with each sub-array area electricallyinsulated from its neighbors. In this embodiment showing a multi-gridelectro-active structure, the conductive layers are etched to provideseparate electrical contacts or electrodes to each sub-array or gridelement. In this manner, separate and distinct voltages may be appliedacross each grid element pair in the layer, creating regions ofdifferent index of refraction in the electro-active material layer. Thedetails of design, including layer thickness, index of refraction,voltages, candidate electro-active materials, layer structure, number oflayers or components, arrangement of layers or components, curvature ofeach layer and/or components is left for the optical designer to decide.

It should be noted that either the multi-grid electro-active structureor the single interconnect electro-active structures can be utilized aseither a partial lens field or a full lens field. However, when apartial field specific electro-active refractive matrix is utilized, inmost cases, an electro-active material having a closely matchingrefractive index as that of the partial field specific electro-activenon-activated layer (the framing layer) is utilized laterally adjacentto and separated from the partial field specific electro-active regionby an insulator. This is done to enhance the cosmetic nature of theelectro-active lens by way of keeping the appearance of the entireelectro-active refractive matrix appearing as one, in the unactivatedstate. Also, it should be pointed out that in certain embodiments, theframing layer is of a non-electro-active material.

The polymer material can be of a wide variety of polymers where theelectro-active constituent is at least 30% by weight of the formulation.Such electro-active polymer materials are well known and commerciallyavailable. Examples of this material include liquid crystal polymerssuch as polyester, polyether, polyamide, (PCB) penta cyano biphenyl andothers. Polymer gels may also contain a thermoset matrix material toenhance the processability of the gel, improve its adhesion to theencapsulating conductive layers, and improve the optical clarity of thegel. By way of examples only this matrix may be a cross-linked acrylate,methacrylate, polyurethane, a vinyl polymer cross-linked with adifunctional or multifunctional acrylate, methacrylate or vinylderivative.

The thickness of the gel layer can be, for example, between about 3microns to about 100 microns, but may be as thick as one millimeter, oras another example, between about 4 microns to about 20 microns. The gellayer can have a modulus of, for example, about 100 pounds per inch toabout 800 pounds per inch, or as another example, 200 to 600 pounds perinch. The metallic layer can have a thickness of, for example, about10⁻⁴ microns to about 10⁻² microns, and as another example, from about0.8×10⁻³ microns to about 1.2×10⁻³ microns. The conductive layer canhave a thickness of, for example, on the order of 0.05 microns to about0.2 microns, and as another example, from about 0.8 microns to about0.12 microns, and as yet another example, about 0.1 microns.

The metallic layer is used to provide good contact between theconductive layer and the electro-active material. Those skilled in theart will readily recognize the appropriate metal materials that could beused. For example, one could use gold or silver.

In one embodiment, the refractive index of the electro-active materialmay vary, for example, between about 1.2 units and about 1.9 units, andas another example, between about 1.45 units and about 1.75 units, withthe change in index of refraction of at least 0.02 units per volt. Therate of change in the index with voltage, the actual index of refractionof the electro-active material, and its compatibility with the matrixmaterial will determine the percentage composition of the electro-activepolymer into the matrix, but should result in a change of index ofrefraction of the final composition of no less than 0.02 units per voltat a base voltage of about 2.5 volts but no greater than 25 volts.

As previously discussed with the inventive embodiment utilizing a hybriddesign, the sections of the electro-active refractive matrix assemblyare attached to a conventional lens optic with an appropriate adhesiveor bonding technique which is transparent to visible light. This bondingassembly can be by way of release paper or film having theelectro-active refractive matrix pre-assembled and attached ready forbonding to the conventional lens optic. It could be produced and appliedto the awaiting lens optic surface in-situ. Also, it could be appliedpre-applied to the surface of a lens wafer, which is then adhesivelybonded to the awaiting lens optic. It could be applied to asemi-finished lens blank which is later surfaced or edged for theappropriate size, shape as well as the appropriate total power needs.Finally, it could be casted onto a preformed lens optic utilizingSurfaceCasting techniques. This creates the electrically modifiablepower of the invention. The electro-active refractive matrix may occupythe entire lens area or only a portion of it.

The index of refraction of the electro-active layers can be correctlyaltered only for the area needed to focus. For example, in the hybridpartial field design previously discussed, the partial field area wouldbe activated and altered within this area. Therefore, in this embodimentthe index of refraction is altered in only a specific partial region ofthe lens. In another embodiment, that of a hybrid full field design, theindex of refraction is altered across the entire surface. Similarly, theindex of refraction is altered across the entire area in the non-hybriddesign. As discussed earlier, it has been discovered that in order tomaintain an acceptable optical cosmetic appearance the refractive indexdifferential between adjacent areas of an electro-active optic should belimited to a maximum of 0.02 units to 0.05 units of refractive indexdifferential, preferably 0.02 units to 0.03 units.

It is envisioned within the invention that in some cases the user wouldutilize a partial field and then want to switch the electro-activerefractive matrix to a full field. In this case, the embodiment would bedesigned structurally for a full field embodiment; however, thecontroller would be programmed to allow for switching the power needsfrom a full field to a partial field and back again or vice versa.

In order to create the electric field necessary to stimulate theelectro-active lens, voltage is delivered to the optical assemblies.This is provided by bundles of small diameter wires, which are containedin the edges of the frames of the spectacles. The wires run from a powersource described below into the an electro-active eyewear controller,and/or one or more controller components, and to the frame edgesurrounding each spectacle lens, where state-of-the-art wire bondingtechniques used in semiconductor manufacturing link the wires to eachgrid element in the optical assembly. In the single wire interconnectstructured embodiment, meaning one wire per conductive layer, only onevoltage per spectacle lens is required and only two wires would benecessary for each lens. The voltage would be applied to one conductivelayer, while its partner on the opposing side of the gel layer is heldat ground potential. In another embodiment, an alternating current (AC)voltage is applied across opposing conductive layers. These twoconnections are easily made at or near the frame edge of each spectaclelens.

If a grid array of voltages is used, each grid sub-area in the array isaddressed with a distinct voltage, and conductors connect each wire leadin the frame to a grid element on the lens. An optically transparentconducting material such as indium oxide, tin oxide, or indium tin oxide(ITO) may be used to form the conductive layer of the electro-activeassembly which is used to connect the wires in the frame edges to eachgrid element in the electro-active lens. This method can be usedregardless of whether the electro-active area occupies the entire lensregion or only a portion of it.

One of the techniques for achieving pixelation in the multi-grid arraydesign is to create individual mini-volumes of electro-active material,each with their own pair of driving electrodes to establish the electricfield across the mini-volume. Another technique for achieving pixelationuses patterned electrodes for the conductive or metallic layer, grown onthe substrate lithographically. In this way, the electro-active materialcan be contained in a contiguous volume, and the regions of differentelectric field creating the pixelation are defined entirely by thepatterned electrodes.

To provide electric power to-the optical assemblies, a source ofelectricity, such as a battery, is included in the design. The voltagesto create the electric field are small, hence, the temples of the framesare designed to allow for the insertion and extraction of miniature bulkbatteries which provide this power. The batteries are connected to thewire bundles through a multiplexing connection also contained in theframe temples. In another embodiment, conformal thin film batteries areattached to the surface of the frame temples with an adhesive thatallows them to be removed and replaced when their charge is dissipated.An alternative would be to provide an AC adapter with an attachment tothe frame-mounted batteries to allow in situ charging of either the bulkor conformal thin-film batteries when not in use.

An alternate energy source is also possible whereby a miniature fuelcell could be included in the spectacle frames to provide greater energystorage than batteries. The fuel cell could be recharged with a smallfuel canister that injects fuel into a reservoir in the spectacleframes.

It has been discovered that it is possible to minimize the electricalpower needs by way of utilizing an inventive hybrid multi-grid structureapproach which comprises in most cases but not all, a partial fieldspecific region. It should be pointed out, while one can utilize ahybrid partial field multi-grid structure, a hybrid full fieldmulti-grid structure can be utilized as well.

In another inventive approach, whereby non-conventional refractive errorsuch as aberrations are corrected, a tracking system is built into theeyewear, such as discussed above, and the proper enabling software andprogramming of the electro-active eyewear controller, and/or one or morecontroller components, housed in the electro-active eyewear is provided.This inventive embodiment both tracks one's line of sight, by way oftracking one's eyes, and applies the necessary electrical energy to thespecific area of the electro-active lens being looked through. In otherwords, as the eyes move a targeted electrically energized area wouldmove across the lens corresponding to one's line of sight directedthrough the electro-active lens. This would be manifested in severaldifferent lens designs. For example, the user could have a fixed powerlens, an electro-active lens, or a hybrid of both types to correct forconventional (sphere, cylinder, and prism) refractive error. In thisexample, the non-conventional refractive error would be corrected by wayof the electro-active refractive matrix being of a multi-grid structurewhereby, as the eye moves the corresponding activated region of theelectro-active lens would move with the eye. In other words, the eye'sline-of-sight corresponding to the eye's movement, as it intersects thelens would move across the lens in relationship to the eye's movements.

In the above inventive example it should be pointed out that themulti-grid electro-active structure, which is incorporated into or onthe hybrid electro-active lens can be of a partial field or a full fielddesign.

It should be pointed out utilizing this inventive embodiment one canminimize the electrical needs by way of only electrically energizing thelimited area being directly viewed through. Therefore, the smaller areabeing energized the less electrical power consumed for a givenprescription at any one time. The non directly viewed area would, inmost cases but not all, not be energized or activated and therefore,would correct for conventional refractive error that would get one to20/20 vision correcting for example, myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, andpresbyopia. The targeted and tracked area in this inventive embodimentwould correct for as much non-conventional refractive error as possible,that being irregular astigmatism, aberrations, and ocular surface orlayer irregularities. In other inventive embodiments the targeted andtracked area could correct for also some conventional error, as well. Inseveral of the previous mentioned embodiments, this targeted and trackedarea can be automatically located with the assistance of the controller,and/or one or more controller components, by way of either a rangefinder located in the eyewear tracking the eye movements, with a eyetracking system located in the eyewear or both a tracking system and arange finder system.

Although only a partial electro-active region is utilized in certaindesigns, the entire surface is covered with the electro-active materialto avoid a circular line visible to the user in the lens in thenonactivated state. In some inventive embodiments, a transparentinsulator is utilized to keep the electrical activation limited to thecentral area being activated and the unactivated peripheralelectro-active material is utilized to keep the edge of the activeregion invisible.

In another embodiment, thin film solar cell arrays can be attached tothe surface of the frames, and voltage is supplied to the wires and theoptical grid by photoelectric effect using sunlight or ambient roomlighting. In one inventive embodiment, solar arrays are used for primarypower, with the miniature batteries discussed earlier included as backup power. When electrical power is not needed the batteries can becharged from the solar cells during these times in this embodiment. Analternative allows for an AC adapter and attachment to batteries withthis design.

In order to provide a variable focal length to the user, theelectro-active lenses are switchable. At least two switch positions areprovided, however, more are provided if needed. In the simplestembodiment, the electro-active lenses are either on or off. In the offposition, no current flows through the wires, no voltage is applied tothe grid assemblies, and only the fixed lens power is utilized. Thiswould be the case in a user requiring a far field distance correction,for example, assuming of course, the hybrid electro-active lens utilizeseither a single vision or multifocal lens blank or optic which correctsfor distance vision as part of its construction. To provide near visioncorrection for reading, the switch would be on, providing apredetermined voltage or array of voltages to the lenses, creating apositive add power in the electro-active assemblies. If a mid-fieldcorrection is desired, a third switch position can be included. Theswitch could be microprocessor controlled, or manually user controlled.In fact, there could be several additional positions included. Inanother embodiment, the switch is analog not digital, and providescontinuous variance of the focal length of the lens by adjusting a knobor lever much like a volume control on a radio.

It may be the case that no fixed lens power is part of the design, andall vision correction is accomplished via the electro-active lens. Inthis embodiment, a voltage or array of voltages is supplied to the lensat all times if both a distance and near vision correction is needed bythe user. If only a distance correction or reading accommodation isneeded by the user the electro-active lens would be on when correctionis needed and off when no correction is needed. However, this is notalways the case. In certain embodiments depending upon the lens design,turning off or down the voltage will automatically increase the power ofthe distance and or near vision zones.

In one exemplary embodiment, the switch itself is located on thespectacle lens frames and is connected to a controller, for example, anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit, contained in the spectacleframes. This controller responds to different positions of the switch byregulating the voltages supplied from the power source. As such, thiscontroller makes up the multiplexer discussed above, which distributesvarious voltages to the connecting wires. The controller may also be ofan advanced design in the form of a thin film and be mounted like thebattery or solar cells conformably along the surface of the frames.

In one exemplary embodiment, this controller, and/or one or morecontroller components, is fabricated and/or programmed with knowledge ofthe user's vision correction requirements, and allows the user to easilyswitch between different arrays of predetermined voltages tailored forhis or her individual vision requirements. This electro-active eyewearcontroller, and/or one or more controller components, is easilyremovable and/or programmable by the vision care specialist ortechnician and replaced and/or reprogrammed with a new “prescription”controller when the user's vision correction requirements change.

One aspect of the controller-based switch is that it can change thevoltage applied to an electro-active lens in less than a microsecond. Ifthe electro-active refractive matrix is manufactured from afast-switching material, it is possible that the rapid change in focallength of the lenses may be disruptive to the wearer's vision. A gentlertransition from one focal length to another may be desirable. As anadditional feature of this invention, a “lag time” can be programmedinto the controller that would slow the transition. Conversely, a “leadtime” could be programmed into the controller that would speed thetransition. Similarly, the transition could be anticipated by apredictive algorithm.

In any event, the time constant of the transition can be set so that itis proportional and/or responsive to the refractive change needed toaccommodate the wearer's vision. For example, small changes in focusingpower could be switched rapidly; while a large change in focusing power,such as a wearer quickly moving his gaze from a distant object to readprinted material, could be set to occur over a longer time period, say10-100 milliseconds. This time constant could be adjustable, accordingto the comfort of the wearer.

In any event, it is not necessary for the switch to be on the spectaclesthemselves. In another exemplary embodiment, the switch is in a separatemodule, possibly in a pocket in the user's clothing, and is activatedmanually. This switch could be connected to the spectacles with a thinwire or optical fiber. Another version of the switch contains a smallmicrowave or radio-frequency short-range transmitter which sends asignal regarding switch position to a tiny receiver antenna mountedconformably on the spectacle frames. In both of these switchconfigurations, the user has direct but discreet control over the focallength variation of his or her spectacles.

In various exemplary embodiment, the switch is automatically controlledby a view detector, such as a range finding device located, for example,in the frame, on the frame, in the lens, and/or on the lens of thespectacles, and pointing forward toward the object to be perceived.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another inventive embodiment ofelectro-active eyewear 2100. In this illustrative example, frames 2110contain electro-active lenses 2120 that are connected by connectingwires 2130 to controller 2140 (integrated circuit) and power source2150. A range finder transmitter 2160 is attached to an electro-activelens 2120 and a range finder receiver 2170 is attached to the otherelectro-active lens 2120. In various alternative embodiments,transmitter 2160 and/or receiver 2170 can be attached to anyelectro-active lens 2120, attached to frame 2110, embedded in lens 2120,and/or embedded in frame 2110. Further, range finder transmitter 2160and/or receiver 2170 can be controlled by controller 2140 and/or aseparate controller (not shown). Similarly, signals received byreceiver. 2170 can be processed by controller 2140 and/or a separatecontroller (not shown).

In any event, this range finder is an active seeker and can utilizevarious sources such as: lasers, light emitting diodes, radio-frequencywaves, microwaves, or ultrasonic impulses to locate the object anddetermine its distance. In one embodiment, a vertical cavitysurface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is used as the light transmitter. Thesmall size and flat profile of these devices make them attractive forthis application. In another embodiment, an organic light emittingdiode, or OLED, is used as the light source for the rangefinder. Theadvantage of this device is that OLEDs can often be fabricated in a waythat they are mostly transparent. Thus, an OLED might be a preferablerangefinder design if cosmetics is a concern, since it could beincorporated into the lens or frames without being noticeable.

An appropriate sensor to receive the reflected signal off the object isplaced in one or more positions on the front of the lens frames andconnected to a tiny controller to compute the range. In anotherembodiment, a single device can be fabricated to act in dual mode asboth emitter and detector, and connected to the range computer. Thisrange is sent via a wire or optical fiber to the switching controllerlocated in the lens frames or a wireless remote carried on oneself andanalyzed to determine the correct switch setting for that objectdistance. In some cases, the ranging controller and switching controllermay be integrated together.

It should be appreciated that in certain situations, the range finderdevice may have difficulty switching the focal length of theelectro-active lens when the wearer desires to moves from one item offocus to another. For example, the range finder transmitter and rangefinder receiver may require extra head movement by the wearer of thelenses before the lenses switch one vision correction to another.Alternatively, “false switching” may occur when the lenses switch fromthe vision correction actually needed by the wearer to a visioncorrection that is not appropriate. For example, when the lenses switchthe vision correction from distance correction to intermediate or nearcorrection, instead of switching to the distance correction which waswhat the wearer actually required.

Accordingly, in another exemplary embodiment, the range findertransmitter and range finder receiver may selectively be covered withadditional lenses for controlling the transmitted beam width produced bythe transmitter, and the acceptance cone accepted by the receiver.

FIG. 44 a is an exploded perspective view of an integrated power source,controller and range finder in accord with another alternativeembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 44 a, system 4400includes range finder device 4420, which is coupled to controller 4440,which is in turn coupled to power source 4460. FIG. 44 b is a sidesectional view of system 4400 of FIG. 44 a along Z-Z′ in accord with oneembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 44 b, range finderdevice 4420 is comprised of range finder transmitter 4424 and rangefinder receiver 4428. In this exemplary embodiment, range findertransmitter 4424 and range finder receiver 4428 are transmitter andreceiver diodes, respectively, which may take the form of IR laserdiodes, LEDs or other non-visible radiation sources, for example. Inthis illustrative embodiment, transmitter 4424 has been selectivelycovered with transmission lens 4426 to control the transmitted beamwidth produced by transmitter 4424. Similarly, receiver 4428 may beselectively covered with receiving lens 4430 to control the acceptancecone accepted by receiver 4428. It should be appreciated that theacceptance region, or cone, of receiver 4428 includes the solid angleover which light rays approaching the range finder device will be ableto reach receiver 4428 once they pass through either a receiving lens,an aperture, or other device covering receiver 4428. A protective windowmay shield the internal components of range finder device 4420, and morespecifically, the transmitter and receiver, from the user's environment,while not affecting the function of the internal components.

FIG. 45 is a side view of the range finder transmitter 4424 of FIG. 44 bin accord with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.45, transmission lens 4426 has a selected divergent power to diverge thebeam B produced by transmitter 4424 to a given pattern width D for agiven working distance L. Accordingly, the width of the beam produced bytransmitter 4424 is optimized for given working distances for readingand intermediate vision, which minimizes the need for extra headmovement, while avoiding false switching by not making the beamexcessively large.

FIG. 46 is a side view of the range finder receiver 4428 of FIG. 44 b inaccord with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.46, receiver 4428 is selectively covered with receiving lens 4430, whichhas slit aperture 4432 formed within it. The use of receiving lens 4430with slit aperture 4432 decreases the received pattern to asubstantially rectangular field, rather than the full view that would bedetected if receiving lens 4430 was not fitted over receiver 4428. Inthis embodiment, receiving lens 4430 is constructed of a material, suchas an opaque material, that would prevent receiver 4428 from receivingany reflected beam, with the exception of those traveling through slitaperture 4432.

It should be appreciated that the above embodiments with transmissionlens 4426 covering transmitter 4424 and receiving lens 4430 coveringreceiver 4428 are merely illustrative, and that other embodiments thatmanipulate the transmission beam of transmitter 4424 or the acceptancecone of the receiver 4428 may be employed to further reduce falseswitching, or improve the performance of optical system 4400. Forexample, other methods of restricting the acceptance cone or thereceived pattern of the receiver include employing other geometricallyshaped apertures, variable shutters, lenses, or devices restricting thepassage of light rays onto receiver 4428. It should be also appreciatedthat placing lenses over the transmitter and receiver is optional, andany combination of the above lens may be provided in accordance with theinvention. For example, in at least one further embodiment, thereceiving lens 4430 used to selectively cover receiver 4428 is optional.Similarly, in at least one further embodiment, the transmission lens4426 used to selectively cover transmitter 4424 is optional. In theexemplary embodiments described above, the need for additional headmovement, and the occurrence of false switching, are both minimized byincreasing the width of the transmitted beam produced by the rangefinder transmitter, and optionally, manipulating how the reflected beamis presented to the range finder receiver.

In another exemplary embodiment, the switch can be controlled by a smallbut rapid movement of the user's head. This would be accomplished byincluding another view detector, such as a tiny micro-gyroscope ormicro-accelerometer in the temple on the lens frames. A small, rapidshake or twist of the head would trigger the micro-gyro ormicro-accelerometer and cause the switch to rotate through its allowedposition settings, changing the focus of the electro-active lens to thedesired correction. For example, upon detection of movement by eitherthe micro-gyroscope or micro-accelerometer, the controller may beprogrammed to provide power to the range finder device so that theobserved field may be interrogated by the range finder device todetermine if a change in vision correction is required. Similarly,following a predetermined interval, or period of time in which no headmovement is detected, the range finder device may be turned off.Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, following the detection ofmovement and use of the range finder device, the range finder device maybe turned on.

In another exemplary embodiment, another view detector, such as a tiltswitch, may be employed to determine whether the user's head is tilteddown, or up, at a given angle above or below a posture that would beindicative of someone looking straight ahead in the distance. Forexample, an illustrative tilt switch may include a mercury switchmounted in the controller that closes a circuit that provides power tothe rangefinder, and/or the controller, only when the patient is lookingup or down a predetermined angle away from a horizontal. As lenses maybe designed for distance vision correction in the non-powered state, inat least one embodiment, the range finder device may be configured tooperate and switch the electro-active lens from distance correction toanother state (such as near or intermediate correction) when the user'shead is tilted downward or upward at the predetermined angle away fromhorizontal. Additionally, the lenses may employ an additionalrequirement that an object be sensed in the near or intermediatedistance for some predetermined period of time before switchingoccurred. The tilt switch could also be used to set a logic level highthat is then AND gated (in positive logic) with a logical level set bythe rangefinder that indicates whether an object is in the near orintermediate distance.

FIGS. 47 a-47 c are side views of a wearer of an optical lens system inaccord with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 47a, the wearer of an optical lens system may adjust his head fromhorizontal to an upward head tilt angle (θ_(up)), and from horizontal toa downward head tilt angle (θ_(down)). FIG. 47 b illustrates the wearerwith his head tilted down at the downward head tilt angle (θ_(down)).FIG. 47 c illustrates the wearer with his head tilted up at the upwardhead tilt angle (θ_(up)). In one exemplary embodiment, the tilt switchmay close (and provide power to the range finder device, or thecontroller, or both) when the wearer's head moves up or down from thehorizontal by about 5 to 15 degrees from the horizontal position, andpreferably, about 10 degrees from the horizontal position. In onefurther embodiment, the tilt switch may close when the wearer's headmoves up or down from the horizontal by about 15 to 30 degrees from thehorizontal position, and preferably, about 20 degrees from thehorizontal position.

It should be appreciated that the above-described embodiments employingtilt switches may be optimized based on the needs or desires of thewearer. For example, the wearer may choose to have the angle ofdeviation from the horizontal position required to close the switchdiffer in the upward or downward directions. Thus, the angle for theupward tilt to close the switch may be equal to angle for downward tilt,or they could differ from each other by several degrees. Additionally,the tilt switch may also be optimized by providing that it would onlyactivate the rangefinder (or provide power to the range finder device,or the controller, or both) when the wearer tilts his head in thedownward direction, or alternatively, only when the wearer tilts hishead in the upward direction. This latter case is unlikely, sinceeveryone typically tilts their head down slightly to read.

In another exemplary embodiment, the system utilizes a tilt switch todetermine the angle of tilt of the wearer's head. The angle of tilt,either downward or upward, may be sent to the controller whichdetermines whether the tilt is greater than a predetermined angle. Thus,the controller could selectively power the range finder device upon thetilt crossing the tilt threshold associated with the tilt switch.Similarly, in further embodiments, a micro-gyroscope ormicro-accelerometer could be employed in a similar fashion. For example,a micro-gyroscope or micro-accelerometer may produce an output that thecontroller could use to determine the position of the wearer's head, andadjust power to the range finder device accordingly.

Yet another exemplary embodiment uses a combination of microgyroscopewith a manual switch. In this embodiment, the microgyroscope is utilizedfor mostly reading and visual functions below the 180 so as to react toone's head tilt. Thus, when one's head tilts, the microgyroscope sends asignal to the controller indicating the degree of head tilt, which isthen converted into increased focusing power, depending on the severityof the tilt. The manual switch, which can be remote, is used foroverriding the microgyroscope for certain visual functions at or abovethe 180, such as working on a computer.

In still another exemplary embodiment, a combination of a rangefinderand a microgyroscope is utilized. The microgyroscope is utilized fornear vision, and other vision functions below the 180, and therangefinder is used for viewing distances which are above the 180 andare of a viewing distance of, for example, four feet or less. In furtherembodiments, a range finder device may be used in combination with atilt switch, micro-gyroscope or micro-accelerometer to determine whetherthe electro-active lens should be switched. In these embodiments, thecontroller may use a logic level for each of the integrated components,such as the tilt switch, gyroscope or accelerometer, with the additionalrequirement that the range finder device must obtain a new viewingdistance before switching would occur, for example.

As an alternative to the manual switch or range finder design to adjustthe focusing power of the electro-active assembly, another exemplaryembodiment utilizes an eye-tracker to measure inter-pupillary distanceand detect the viewing distance. As the eyes focus on distant or nearobjects, this distance changes as the pupils converge or diverge. Atleast two light-emitting diodes and at least two adjacent photo-sensorsto detect reflected light from the diodes off the eye are placed on theinside frame near the nose bridge. This system can sense the position ofthe edge of the pupil of each eye and convert the position tointer-pupillary distance to calculate the distance of the object fromthe user's eye plane. In certain embodiments three or even four lightemitting diodes and photo sensors are used to track eye movements.

It should be appreciated that, in further embodiments, any combinationof the various mechanisms described herein, which minimize falseswitching and excessive wearer movements to initiate switching, may becombined in any fashion as desired to meet the needs of the skilledartisan and the wearer of the optical lens system. Thus, any of thelogical levels or switching mechanisms may be customized to fit theparticular needs of a given user.

In addition to vision correction, the electro-active refractive matrixcan also be used to give a spectacle lens an electro-chromic tint. Byapplying an appropriate voltage to an appropriate gel polymer or liquidcrystal layer, a tint or sunglass effect can be imparted to the lens,which alternates the light transmission somewhat through the lens. Thisreduced light intensity gives a “sunglass” effect to the lens for thecomfort of the user in bright, outdoor environment. Liquid crystalcompositions and gel polymers with high polarizability in response to anapplied electric field are most attractive for this application.

In some inventive embodiments, this invention may be used in locationswhere temperature variations may be sizeable enough to affect the indexof refraction of the electro-active layer. Then, a correction factor toall of the supplied voltages to the grid assemblies would have to beapplied to compensate for this effect. A miniature thermistor,thermocouple, or other temperature sensor mounted in or on the lensand/or frame and connected to the power source senses changes intemperature. The controller converts these readings into voltage changesneeded to compensate for the change in refractive index of theelectro-active material.

However, in certain embodiments electronic circuitry is actually builtinto or on the lens surface for the purpose of increasing thetemperature of the electro-active refractive matrix or layers. This isdone to further reduce the refractive index of the electro-active layersthus maximizing lens power changes. Increased temperature can beutilized either with or without voltage increases thus giving additionalflexibility in being able to control and change the lens power by way ofrefractive index changes. When temperature is utilized it is desirableto be able to measure, get feed back and control the temperature whichhas been deliberately applied.

In the case of either a partial or full field grid array of individuallyaddressed electro-active regions, many conductors may be necessary tomultiplex specific voltages from the controller to each grid element.For ease of engineering these interconnects, the invention locates thecontroller in the front section of the spectacle frames, for example, inthe nose bridge area. Thus, the power source, which is located in thetemples, will be connected to the controller by only two conductorsthrough the temple-front frame hinge. The conductors linking thecontroller to the lenses can be totally contained within the frontsection of the frame.

In some embodiments of the invention, the spectacles may have one orboth spectacle frame temples, parts of which are easily removable. Eachtemple will consist of two parts: a short one which remains connected tothe hinge and front frame section and a longer one which plugs into thispiece. The unpluggable part of the temples each contain an electricalpower source (battery, fuel cell, etc.) and can be simply removed andreconnected to the fixed portion of the temples. These removable templesare rechargeable, for example, by placing in a portable A.C. chargingunit which charges by direct current flow, by magnetic induction, or byany other common recharging method. In this manner, fully chargedreplacement temples may be connected to the spectacles to providecontinuous, long-term activation of the lenses and ranging system. Infact, several replacement temples may be carried by the user in pocketor purse for this purpose.

In many cases, the wearer will require spherical correction fordistance, near, and/or intermediate vision. This allows a variation ofthe fully interconnected grid array lens, which takes advantage of thespherical symmetry of the required corrective optic. In this case, aspecial geometrically shaped grid consisting of concentric rings ofelectro-active regions may comprise either the partial region or fullfield lens. The rings may be circular or non-circular such as, forexample, elliptical. This configuration serves to reduce substantiallythe number of required electro-active regions that must be separatelyaddressed by conductor connections with different voltages, greatlysimplifying the interconnect circuitry. This design allows for thecorrection of astigmatism by employing a hybrid lens design. In thiscase, the conventional optic may provide cylindrical and/or astigmaticcorrection, and the concentric ring electro-active refractive matrix mayprovide the spherical distance and/or near vision correction.

This concentric ring, or toroidal zone, embodiment allows for greatflexibility in adapting the electro-active focusing to the wearer'sneeds. Because of the circular zone symmetry, many more thinner zonescan be fabricated without increasing the wiring and interconnectcomplexity. For example, an electro-active lens made from an array of4000 square pixels will require wiring to address all 4000 zones; a needto cover a circular partial region area of 35 millimeters diameter willyield a pixel pitch of about 0.5 millimeters. On the other hand, anadaptive optic made from a pattern of concentric rings of the same 0.5millimeter pitch (or ring thickness) will require only 35 toroidalzones, greatly reducing the wiring complexity. Conversely, the pixelpitch (and resolution) can be decreased to only 0.1 millimeters and onlyincrease the number of zones (and interconnects) to 175. The greaterresolution of the zones may translate into greater comfort for thewearer, since the radial change in refractive index from zone to zone issmoother and more gradual. Of course, this design restricts one to onlyvision corrections which are spherical in nature.

It has been further discovered that the concentric ring design cantailor the thickness of the toroidal rings so as to place the greatestresolution at the radius where it is needed. For example, if the designcalls for phase-wrapping, i.e., taking advantage of the periodicity oflight waves to achieve greater focusing power with materials of limitedrefractive index variation, one can design an array with narrower ringsat the periphery and wider rings at the center of the circular partialregion of the electro-active area. This judicious use of each toroidalpixel yields the greatest focusing power obtainable for the number ofzones utilized while minimizing the aliasing effect present inlow-resolution systems that employ phase-wrapping.

In another embodiment of this invention, it may be desired to smooth thesharp transition from the far-field focus region to the near visionfocus region in hybrid lenses employing a partial electro-active area.This occurs, of course, at the circular boundary of the electro-activeregion. In order to accomplish this, the invention would be programmedto have regions of-less power for near vision in the periphery of theelectro-active region. For example, consider a hybrid concentric ringdesign with a 35 mm diameter electro-active region, where the fixedfocal length lens provides a distance correction, and the electro-activeregion provides a +2.50 add power presbyopic correction. Instead ofmaintaining this power all the way out to the periphery of theelectro-active region, several toroidal regions or “bands”, eachcontaining several addressable electro-active concentric ring zones,would be programmed to have decreasing power at larger diameters. Forexample, during activation one embodiment might have a central 26 mmdiameter circle of +2.50 add power, with a toroidal band extending from26 to 29 mm diameter with +2.00 add power, another toroidal bandextending from 29 to 32 mm diameter with +1.5 add power, surrounded by atoroidal band extending from 32 to 35 mm diameter with +1.0 add power.This design may be useful in providing some users with a more pleasantwearing experience.

When utilizing an ophthalmic spectacle lens one generally utilizes thetop approximately one-half of the lens for far distance viewing.Approximately 2 to 3 mm above the mid-line and 6 to 7 mm below themid-line for intermediate distance viewing and from 7-10 mm below themid-line for near distance viewing.

Aberrations created in the eye appear different for distances from theeye and need to be corrected differently. An object's distance that isbeing viewed is directly related to the specific aberration correctionneeded. Therefore, an aberration created from the eye's optical systemwill need approximately the same correction for all far distances,approximately the same correction for all intermediate distances, andapproximately the same correction for all near point distances.Therefore, the invention allows for the electro-active adjustment of thelens to correct certain aberrations of the eye, in three or foursections of the lens (distance section, intermediate section and nearsection), as opposed to trying to adjust the electro-active lensgrid-by-grid as the eye and the eye's line of sight moves across thelens.

FIG. 22 is a front view of an embodiment of an electro-active lens 2200.Within lens 2200 are defined various regions proving differentrefractive corrections. Below mid-line B-B, several near distancecorrective regions 2210 and 2220 each having a different correctivepower, are surrounded by a single intermediate distance correctiveregion 2230. Although only two near distance corrective regions 2210 and2220 are shown, any number of near distance corrective regions can beprovided. Similarly, any number of intermediate distance correctiveregions can be provided. Above mid-line B—B, a far distance correctiveregion 2240 are provided. Regions 2210, 2220, and 2230 can be activatedin a programmed sequence manner, to save power for example, or in astatic on-off manner similar to a conventional tri-focal. When lookingfrom far to near, or from near to far, lens 2200 can help the wearer'seye focus, by smoothing the transition between the various focal lengthsof the various regions. Thereby, the phenomenon of “image jump” isrelieved or greatly reduced. This improvement is also provided in theembodiments shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, below.

FIG. 23 is a front view of an embodiment of another electro-active lens2300. Within lens 2300 are defined various regions proving differentrefractive corrections. Below mid-line C—C, a single near distancecorrective region 2310 is surrounded by a single intermediate distancecorrective region 2320. Above mid-line C—C, is located a single fardistance corrective region 2330.

FIG. 24 is a front view of an embodiment of an embodiment of anotherelectro-active lens 2400. Within lens 2400 are defined various regionsproviding different refractive corrections. A single near distancecorrective region 2410 is surrounded by a single intermediate distancecorrective region 2420, which is surrounded by a single far distancecorrective region 2430.

FIG. 25 is a side view of an embodiment of another electro-active lens2500. Lens 2500 includes a conventional lens optic 2510 to which severalfull field electro-active regions 2520, 2530, 2540, and 2550 areattached, each separated from the adjacent regions by insulating layers2525, 2535, and 2545.

FIG. 26 is a side view of an embodiment of another electro-active lens2600. Lens 2600 includes a conventional lens optic 2610 to which severalpartial field electro-active regions 2620, 2630, 2640, and 2650 areattached, each separated from the adjacent regions by insulating layers2625, 2635, and 2645. Framing region 2660 surrounds electro-activeregions 2620, 2630, 2640, and 2650.

Returning to the discussion of diffractive electro-active lenses, anelectro-active lens for correcting refractive error can be fabricatedusing an electro-active refractive matrix adjacent to a glass, polymer,or plastic substrate lens which is imprinted or etched with adiffractive pattern. The surface of the substrate lens which has thediffractive imprint is directly in contact with the electro-activematerial. Thus, one surface of the electro-active refractive matrix isalso a diffractive pattern which is the mirror image of that on the lenssubstrate surface.

The assembly acts as a hybrid lens, such that the substrate lens alwaysprovides a fixed corrective power, typically for distance correction.The index of refraction of the electro-active refractive matrix in itsunactivated state is nearly identical to that of the substrate lens;this difference should be 0.05 index units or less. Thus, when theelectro-active lens is unactivated, the substrate lens andelectro-active refractive matrix have the same index, and thediffractive pattern is powerless, and provides no correction (0.00diopter). In this state, the power of the substrate lens is the onlycorrective power.

When the electro-active refractive matrix is activated, its indexchanges, and the refractive power of the diffraction pattern becomesadditive to the substrate lens. For example, if the substrate lens has apower of −3.50 diopter, and the electro-active diffractive layer has apower when activated of +2.00 diopter, the total power of theelectro-active lens assembly is −1.50 diopter. In this way, theelectro-active lens allows for near vision or reading. In otherembodiments, the electro-active refractive matrix in the activated statemay be index matched to the lens optic.

Electro-active layers that use liquid crystals are birefringent. Thatis, they display two different focal lengths in their unactivated statewhen exposed to unpolarized light. This birefringence gives rise todouble or fuzzy images on the retina. There are two approaches tosolving this problem. The first requires at least two electro-activelayers to be used. One is fabricated with the electro-active moleculesaligned longitudinally in the layer, while the other is fabricated withlatitudinally oriented molecules in its layer; thus, the molecularalignment in the two layers is orthogonal to each other. In this manner,both polarizations of light are focused equally by both of the layers,and all light is focused at the same focal length.

This can be accomplished by simply stacking the two orthogonally-alignedelectro-active layers or by an alternative design in which the centerlayer of the lens is a double-sided plate, i.e., with identicaldiffraction patterns etched on both sides. Electro-active material isthen placed in a layer on both sides of the center plate, assuring thattheir alignments are orthogonal. Then a cover superstrate is placed overeach electro-active refractive matrix to contain it. This provides asimpler design than superimposing two distinctelectro-active/diffractive layers on top of each other.

A different alternative requires one to add a cholesteric liquid crystalto the electro-active material to give it a large chiral component. Ithas been found that a certain level of chiral concentration eliminatesthe in-plane polarization sensitivity, and obviates the need for twoelectro-active layers of purely nematic liquid crystal as a component inthe electro-active material.

Turning now to the materials used for the electro-active layer, examplesof material classes and specific electro-active materials that can beused for the electro-active refractive matrix and lens of the presentinvention are listed below. Other than the liquid crystal materialslisted below in class I, we generally refer to each of these classes ofmaterials as polymer gels.

Liquid Crystals

This class includes any liquid crystal film that forms nematic, smectic,or cholesteric phases that possess a long-range orientational order thatcan be controlled with an electric field. Examples of nematic liquidcrystals are: pentylcyanobiphenyl (5CB), (n-octyloxy)-4-cyanobiphenyl(80CB). Other examples of liquid crystals are the n=3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,of the compound 4-cyano-4-n-alkylbiphenyls, 4-n-pentyloxy-biphenyl,4-cyano-4″-n-alkyl-p-terphenyls, and commercial mixtures such as E7,E36, E46, and the ZLI-series made by BDH (British Drug House)-Merck.

Electro-optic Polymers

This class includes any transparent optical polymeric material such asthose disclosed in “Physical Properties of Polymers Handbook” by J. E.Mark, American Institute of Physics, Woodburry, N.Y., 1996, containingmolecules having unsymmetrical polarized conjugated p electrons betweena donor and an acceptor group (referred to as a chromophore) such asthose disclosed in “Organic Nonlinear Optical Materials” by Ch. Bosshardet al., Gordon and Breach Publishers, Amsterdam, 1995. Examples ofpolymers are as follows: polystyrene, polycarbonate,polymethylmethacrylate, polyvinylcarbazole, polyimide, polysilane.Examples of chromophores are: paranitroaniline (PNA), disperse red 1 (DR1), 3-methyl-4-methoxy-4′-nitrostilbene, diethylaminonitrostilbene(DANS), diethyl-thio-barbituric acid.

Electro-optic polymers can be produced by: a) following a guest/hostapproach, b) by covalent incorporation of the chromophore into thepolymer (pendant and main-chain), and/or c) by lattice hardeningapproaches such as cross-linking.

Polymer Liquid Crystals

This class includes polymer liquid crystals (PLCs), which are alsosometimes referred to as liquid crystalline polymers, low molecular massliquid crystals, self-reinforcing polymers, in situ-composites, and/ormolecular composites. PLCs are copolymers that contain simultaneouslyrelatively rigid and flexible sequences such as those disclosed in“Liquid Crystalline Polymers: From Structures to Applications” by W.Brostow, edited by A. A. Collyer, Elsevier, New-York-London, 1992,Chapter 1. Examples of PLCs are: polymethacrylate comprising4-cyanophenyl benzoate side group and other similar compounds.

Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals

This class includes polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs), whichconsist of dispersions of liquid crystal droplets in a polymer matrix.These materials can be made in several ways: (i) by nematic curvilinearaligned phases (NCAP), by thermally induced phase separation (TIPS),solvent-induced phase separation (SIPS), and polymerization-inducedphase separation (PIPS). Examples of PDLCs are: mixtures of liquidcrystal E7 (BDH-Merck) and NOA65 (Norland products, Inc. NJ); mixturesof E44 (BDH-Merck) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA); mixtures of E49(BDH-Merck) and PMMA; mixture of the monomer dipentaerythrol hydroxypenta acrylate, liquid crystal E7, N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-phenylglycine,and the dye Rose Bengal.

Polymer Stabilized Liquid Crystals

This class includes polymer-stabilized liquid crystals (PSLCs), whichare materials that consist of a liquid crystal in a polymer network inwhich the polymer constitutes less than 10% by weight of the liquidcrystal. A photopolymerizable monomer is mixed together with a liquidcrystal and an UV polymerization initiator. After the liquid crystal isaligned, the polymerization of the monomer is initiated typically by UVexposure and the resulting polymer creates a network that stabilizes theliquid crystal. For examples of PSLCs, see, for instance: C. M. Hudsonet al. Optical Studies of Anisotropic Networks in Polymer-StabilizedLiquid Crystals, Journal of the Society for Information Display, vol.5/3, 1-5, (1997), G. P. Wiederrecht et al, Photorefractivity inPolymer-Stabilized Nematic Liquid Crystals, J. of Am. Chem. Soc., 120,3231-3236 (1998).

Self-assembled Nonlinear Supramolecular Structures

This class includes electro-optic asymmetric organic films, which can befabricated using the following approaches: Langmuir-Blodgett films,alternating polyelectrolyte deposition (polyanion/polycation) fromaqueous solutions, molecular beam epitaxy methods, sequential synthesisby covalent coupling reactions (for example: organotrichlorosilane-basedself-assembled multilayer deposition). These techniques usually lead tothin films having a thickness of less than about 1 mm.

FIG. 29 a perspective view of an optical lens system in accord withanother alternative embodiment of the present invention. The opticallens system in FIG. 29 is shown as containing an optical lens 2900having an outer perimeter 2910, a lens surface 2920, a power source2930, a battery bus 2940, a transparent conductor bus 2950, a controller2960, a light emitting diode 2970, a radiation or light detector 2980,and an electro-active refractive matrix or region 2990. In thisembodiment, the electro-active refractive matrix 2990 is contained in acavity or recess 2999 of the optical lens 2900.

As can be seen, this optical lens system is self-contained and may beplaced in a wide variety of supports including eyeglass frames andphoroptors. In use, the electro-active refractive matrix 2990 of thelens 2900 may be focused and controlled by the controller 2960 toimprove the vision of a user. This controller 2960 may receive powerfrom the power source 2930 via the transparent conductor bus 2950 andmay receive data signals via the transparent conductor bus 2950 from theradiation detector 2980. The controller 2950 may control thesecomponents as well others via these buses.

When functioning properly, the electro-active refractive matrix 2990 mayrefract light passing through it so that a wearer of the lens 2900 maybe able to see focused images through the electro-active refractivematrix 2990. Because the optical lens system of FIG. 29 isself-contained, the optical lens 2900 may be placed into various framesand other supports, even though these frames and other supports may notcontain specific supporting components for the lens system.

As noted, the light emitting diode 2970, radiation detector 2980,controller 2960, and power source 2930 are each coupled to one another,and to the electro-active refractive matrix 2990 via various conductorbuses. As can be seen, the power source 2930 is directly coupled to thecontroller 2960 through a transparent conductor bus 2950. Thistransparent conductor bus is primarily used to transport power to thecontroller, which may then be selectively fed to both the light emittingdiode 2970, the radiation detector 2980, and the retroactive refractivematrix 2990 as necessary. While the transparent conductor bus 2950 inthis embodiment is preferably transparent, it may also be translucent oropaque in alternative embodiments.

In order to assist in focusing the electro-active refractive matrix2990, a light emitting diode 2970 and radiation detector 2980 may workin conjunction with one another as a range finder to help focus theelectro-active refractive matrix 2990. For instance, visible andinvisible light may be emitted from the light emitting diode 2970. Thereflection of this emitted light may then be detected by the radiationdetector 2980 and may generate a signal identifying that it has sensedthe reflected light beam. Upon receiving this signal, the controller2960, controlling both of these activities, may determine the distancefor a specific object. Aware of this distance, the controller 2960,previously programmed with the proper optical compensation of the user,may then generate signals that activate the electro-active refractivematrix 2990 to allow a user looking through the optical lens 2900 toview the object or image more clearly.

In this embodiment the electro-active refractive matrix 2990 is shown asa circle with a 35 mm diameter, and the optical lens 2900 is also shownas a circle, this time with a 70 mm diameter and a center lens thicknessof approximately 2 mm. In alternative embodiments, however, the opticallens 2900 and the electro-active refractive matrix 2990 may also beconfigured in other standard and non-standard shapes and sizes. In eachof these alternative sizes and orientations it is neverthelesspreferable that the position and size of the electro-active refractivematrix 2990 be such that a user of the system can readily view imagesand objects through the electro-active refractive matrix 2990 portion ofthe lens.

The other components in the optical lens 2900 may be positioned in otherlocations of the optical lens 2900. It is preferable, however, that anylocation chosen for these individual components be as unobtrusive to theuser as possible. In other words, it is preferred that these othercomponents be located away from the main viewing path of the user.Moreover, it is also preferred that these components be as small andtransparent as possible to further reduce the risk of obstruction to auser's line of sight.

In a preferred embodiment, the surface of the electro-active refractivematrix 2990 may be flush or substantially flush with the surface of theoptical lens 2920. Moreover, the buses may be positioned in the lensalong a radius of the lens projecting out from a center point. Bypositioning the buses in this fashion, the lenses may be rotated intheir supports to align the buses in their least obtrusive orientation.However, as can be seen in FIG. 29, this preferred bus design need notalways be followed. In FIG. 29, rather than having all of the componentsalong a single bus positioned along a radius of the lens 2900, theradiation detector 2980 and the light emitting diode 2970 have beenpositioned on non-radial buses 2950. Nevertheless, it is preferred toset as many, if not all, of the various components, along a radius ofthe lens to minimize their obstructiveness. Moreover, it is alsopreferred that the bus or other conductive material be accessible fromthe outer periphery of the lens so that the individual components of thelens may be accessed, controlled or programmed as necessary from theedge of the lens even if the lens has been etched or edged to fit aparticular frame. This accessibility may include a direct exposure tothe outside of the lens as well as being positioned near the surface ofthe perimeter and then reachable via a penetration into the lens.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a lens system in accord with anotheralternative embodiment of the present invention. Like, the embodiment ofFIG. 29, this embodiment also shows a lens system that may be used tocorrect or improve the refractive error of a user. The lens system ofFIG. 30 includes a frame 3010, a transparent conductor bus 3050, a lightemitting diode/range finder 3070, a nose pad 3080, a power source 3030,a translucent controller 3060, an electro-active refractive matrix 3090,and an optical lens 3000. As can be seen in FIG. 30, the controller 3060is positioned along the transparent conductor bus 3050 between theelectro-active refractive matrix 3090 and the power source 3030. As canalso be seen the range finder 3070 is coupled to the controller 3060along a different conductor bus.

In this embodiment the optical lens 3000 is mounted and supported by theframe 3010. Furthermore, rather than having the power source 3030mounted on or in the optical lens 3000, the power source 3030 is mountedon the nose pad 3080, which is in turn connected to the controller 3060through the nose pad connector 3020. An advantage of this configurationis that the power source 3030 may be readily replaced or recharged asrequired.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of an alternative lens system in accordwith another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 31 thecontroller 3160, strap 3170, frame 3110, conductive bus 3150,electro-active refractive matrix 3190, optical lens 3100, frame stem orhollow lumen 3130, and signal conductors 3180 are labeled. Rather thanmounting the controller 310 on or within the optical lens 3100, as shownin earlier embodiments, the controller 3160 has been mounted onto strap3170. This controller 3160 is coupled to the electro-active refractivematrix 3190 through signal conductors 310 that are positioned within thehollow lumen frame stem 3130 of the frame 3110 and travel to thecontroller 3160 via the strap 3170. By placing the controller 3160 on astrap 3170, a user's prescription can be carried with them from lenssystem to lens system by simply uncoupling the strap 3170 and placing itonto an alternative frame to be worn by the user.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a lens system in accord with anotheralternative embodiment of the present invention. The frame 3210, as wellas the electro-active refractive matrix 3290, the optical lens 3200, andthe internal frame signal conductors 3280, can all be seen in FIG. 32.In this embodiment, the frame 3210 contains internal frames signalconductors 3280 that may be accessed from any point along their lengthsuch that information and power may be readily provided to thecomponents of the optical lens 3200 regardless of its orientation in theframe 3210. In other words, regardless of the position of the radial busof the optical lens 3200, the radial bus may be able to contact theinternal frame signal conductors 3280 and provide both power andinformation to control the electro-active refractive matrices 3290.Section A—A of FIG. 32 clearly shows these internal frame signalconductors 3280. In an another alternative embodiment, rather thanhaving two internal frame signal conductors 3280, only one may beprovided within the frame leaving the frame itself to be used as aconductor to facilitate the transport of power and other information tothe components. Still further, more than two internal frame conductorsmay also be used in an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Moreover, in another alternative embodiment, rather than having a singleradial bus connecting the refractive matrix to the frame signalconductors a conductive layer may, instead, be used. In this alternativeembodiment, this conductive layer may cover all of the lens or only aportion of the lens. In a preferred embodiment it will be transparentand cover the entire lens to minimize distortion associated with aboundary of the layer. When this layer is used, the number of accesspoints along the exterior perimeter of the lens may be increased byextending the layer to the outer periphery in more than one location.Moreover, this layer may also be compartmentalized into individualsub-regions to provide a plurality of pathways between the edge of thelens and the components within it.

FIG. 33 is a perspective exploded view of an optical lens system inaccord with another alternative embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 33, an optical lens 3330 can be seen with an electro-activerefractive matrix 3390 and an optical toroid 3320. In this embodimentthe refractive matrix 3390 has been positioned within the optical toroid3320 and then secured to the back of the optical lens 3330. In so doing,the optical toroid 3320 forms a recess of cavity in the back of theoptical lens 3330 to support, hold and contain the electro-activerefractive matrix 3390. Once this optical lens system has beenassembled, the front of the optical lens 3330 may then be molded,surface cast, laminated or treated to further configure the optical lenssystem to a user's specific refractive and optical needs. Consistentwith the above embodiments, the electro-active refractive matrix 3390may then be activated and controlled to improve the vision of a user.

FIG. 34 is another exploded view of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 34 an optical lens 3400, an electro-activerefractive matrix 340 and a carrier 3480 can all be seen. Rather thanusing the toroid as in the previous embodiment to help orient theelectro-active refractive on the optical lens, the electro-activerefractive matrix 3490 in this embodiment is coupled to the optical lens3400 via the carrier 3480. Likewise, the other components 3470 needed tosupport the electro-active refractive matrix 3490 may also coupled tothe carrier 3480. In so doing, these components 3470 and theelectro-active refractive matrix 3490 may be readily secured to variousoptical lenses. Furthermore, this carrier 3480, its components 3470, andthe electro-active refractive matrix 3490 may each be covered withanother material or substance to protect them from damage either beforeor after they are coupled to the lens.

The carrier 3480 may be made with a number of possible materialsincluding a membrane of polymer mesh, a pliable plastic, a ceramic, aglass, and a composite of any of these materials. Consequently, thiscarrier 3480 may be flexible and rigid depending upon its materialcomposition. In each case, it is preferred that the carrier 3480 betransparent, although it may be tinted or translucent in alternativeembodiments and may provide other desired properties to the lens 3400 aswell. Depending upon the type of material that the carrier 3480 iscomprised of, various manufacturing processes may be employed includingmicro-machining and wet and dry etching of the lens to form the recessor cavity in which the carrier may be mounted. These techniques may alsobe used to manufacture the carrier itself including etching one or bothsides of the carrier to create a diffractive pattern to correct for anyoptical aberrations created by the carrier.

FIGS. 35 a-35 e show an assembly sequence that may be employed in accordwith an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 35 a,the frame 3500 and the eye 3570 of a wearer can be clearly seen. In FIG.35 b, the electro-active refractive matrix 3580 of optical lens 3505,the radial bus 3540 and various rotation and position arrows 3510, 3520,and 3530 can also be seen. FIG. 35 c shows the optical lens system withits radial bus 3540 at the 9 o'clock position. FIG. 35 d shows the sameoptical lens system of FIG. 35 c after it has been edged and a portionof the outer perimeter or region has been removed in preparation formounting into the frame 3500. FIG. 35 e shows a completed lens systemhaving the electro-active refractive matrix centered over the eye of theuser in a first region and the radial bus 3540 and power source 3590being positioned between the eye of the user and the temple of the frame3500 in the perimeter region of the lens. The combined perimeter regionand first region comprise the entire lens blank in this embodiment.However, in other embodiments, they may only comprise a portion of thetotal lens blank.

A technician assembling this lens system in accord with one embodimentof the present invention may proceed as follows. In a first stepdepicted in FIG. 35 a, the frame 3500 to be fitted with theelectro-active lens may be placed in front of a user to locate thecenter of a user's eye 3570 with respect to the frame. After locatingthe center of the user's eye with respect to the frame, theelectro-active lens may then be rotated, positioned, edged, and cut suchthat the center of the electro-active refractive matrix 3580 is centeredover the user's eye 3570 when the user wears the frame. This rotationand cutting is shown in FIGS. 35 b, 35 c and 35 d. After the lens hasbeen edged and cut to properly position the electro-active matrix 3580over the user's eye, the power source or other components may then besnapped onto the bus 3540 of the lens and the lens may be secured intothe frame as shown in FIG. 35 e. This snapping process may includepushing leads from each of the components through the surface of thelens and into the bus to secure the component to the lens as well as toprovide for their connection to each other and to the other components.

While, the electro-active lens system and the electro-active matrix aredescribed as being centered in front of or over a user's eye, both thelens and the electro-active matrix may also be placed in otherorientations in the user's field of vision including being off-set fromcenter of the user's eye. Moreover, due to the innumerable shapes andsizes of available eyewear frames, because the lens may be edged,thereby allowing its dimensions to be changed, the lens may beultimately assembled by a technician to fit a wide variety of frames andindividual users.

In addition to simply using the electro-active refractive matrix tocorrect a user's vision, one or both surfaces of the lens may also besurface-cast or ground to further compensate for the user's refractiveerror. Likewise, the lens surface may also be laminated to compensatefor the user's optical aberrations.

In this embodiment as well as in others, the technician may use standardlens blanks to assemble the system. These lens blanks may range from 30mm-80 mm with the most common sizes being 60 mm, 65 mm, 70 mm, 72 mm,and 75 mm. These lens blanks may be coupled with an electro-activematrix mounted on a carrier before or sometime during the assemblyprocess.

FIGS. 36 a-36 e illustrate an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention depicting another assembly sequence wherein, rather thanhaving the range finder and power source positioned on the lens, thesecomponents are actually coupled to the frame itself. Illustrated inFIGS. 36 a-36 e are a frame 3600, a user's eye 3670, orientation androtation arrows 3610, 3620 and 3630, electro-active refractive matrix3680 of optical lens 3605 and a transparent component bus 3640. As inthe above embodiment, the user's eye may first be positioned within theframe. The lens may then be rotated with respect to the user's eye suchthat the electro-active refractive matrix 3680 is properly positioned infront of the user's eye. The lens may then be shaped and ground asnecessary and inserted into the frame. Concurrent with this insertionthe range finder, battery and other components 3690 may also be coupledto the lens.

FIGS. 37 a-37 f provide yet another alternative embodiment of thepresent invention. The transparent bus 3740, electro-active refractivematrix 3780, user's eye 3770, rotation arrows 3710, range finder orcontroller and power source 3730 and multi-conductor wire 3720 aredepicted throughout these figures. In this alternative embodiment, inaddition to completing the steps described in the other two assemblyembodiments, another step depicted in FIG. 37 e may be completed. Thisstep, depicted in FIG. 37 e, entails wrapping the outer circumference ofthe lens with a multi-conductor washer or wire system 3720. This wiresystem 3720 may be used to transport signals and power to and from theelectro-active refractive matrix 3780 as well as the other components.The actual signal wires in the multi-conductor washer 3720 may includeITO [indium tin oxide] materials as well as gold, silver, copper or anyother suitable conductor.

FIG. 38 is an exploded isometric view of an integrated controller andrange finder that may be employed in the present invention. Rather thanhaving the controller and the range finder connected to each other via abus as shown in other embodiments, in this embodiment the range finder,which consists of a radiation detector 3810 and an infrared lightemitting diode 3820, is directly coupled to the controller 3830. Thisentire unit may then be coupled to the frame or the lens as described inthe above embodiments. While the dimensions of 1.5 mm and 5 mm are shownin FIG. 38, other dimensions and configurations may also be employed.

FIG. 39 is an exploded perspective view of an integrated controller andpower source in accordance with yet another alternative embodiment ofthe present invention. In this embodiment the controller 3930 isdirectly coupled to the power source 3940.

FIG. 40 is an exploded perspective view of an integrated power source4040, controller 4030 and range finder in accordance with anotheralternative embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in FIG.40, the radiation detector 4010 and light emitting diode 4020 (therange-finder) are coupled to the controller 4030, which is in turncoupled to the power source 4040. As with the above embodiments, thedimensions shown in this case (3.5 mm and 6.5 mm), are exemplary andalternative dimensions may also be employed.

FIGS. 41-43 are each perspective views of a lens system in accord withvarious alternative embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 41 is alens system that employs a controller and range finder combination 4130that is in turn coupled to the electro-active refractive matrix 4140 andthe power source 4110 through power conductor buses 4120. Comparatively,FIG. 42 shows a combined controller and power source 4240 that iscoupled to a light emitting diode 4220 and radiation detector 4210(range finder) and the electro-active refractive matrix 4230 throughtransparent conductor buses 4250. FIG. 43 illustrates the positioning ofthe combined power source, controller and range finder 4320, positionedalong the radial transparent conductor bus 4330, which is in turncoupled to the electro-active refractive region 4310. In each of thesethree figures various dimensions and diameters are shown. It should beunderstood that these dimensions and diameters are merely illustrativeand that various other dimensions and diameters may be employed.

It should also be appreciated that various embodiments of the inventionhave a wide variety of uses in the field of photonics andtelecommunications. For example, the electro-active systems describedherein may be utilized to steer and/or focus a beam of light, or laserlight, that may have uses in optical communications and opticalcomputing, such as optical switching and data storage. Additionally, theelectro-active systems described herein may be utilized by compleximaging systems to locate an optical image in three-dimensional space.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system inaccord with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 48,electro-active optical system 4800 includes a first electro-activeelement 4820, a second electro-active element 4830, a thirdelectro-active element 4840, and range finder device 4850. Also shown inFIG. 48, an image 4810 is represented by an arrow at a first point inthree-dimensional space. The image may be, for example, a beam of light,a laser beam, or a real or virtual optical image. Accordingly, theelectro-active optical system 4800 may be utilized to focus the image4810 to a predetermined point in three dimensional space. The firstelectro-active element 4820 may be used to move, or shift, the image4810 along the x-axis. This may be accomplished by applying theappropriate array of signals to the first electro-active element 4820 toproduce horizontal prism in the first electro-active element 4820. Thesecond electro-active element 4830 may be used, in a similar manner asthe first electro-active element 4820, to produce vertical prism andshift the image 4810 along the y-axis. The third electro-active element4840 may be used to focus the image 4810 along the z-axis by adjustingthe optical power of the system 4800 to a more positive or more negativeoptical power, depending on the desired location of the resulting image.Additionally, range finder device 4850 may be utilized to detect thelocation of a target, for example, a detector, in the image field wherethe user desires to focus the resulting image. Range finder device 4850may then determine the degree of focus required in the thirdelectro-active element 4840 to achieve the resulting image 4860 desiredby the user at the predetermined point in three-dimensional space. Itshould be appreciated that range finder device 4850 may be in the formof the above-described range finder embodiments, including an integratedpower source, controller and range finder system.

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system inaccord with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 49,electro-active optical system 4900 includes a first electro-activeelement 4920, a second electro-active element 4930, and range finderdevice 4950. Also shown in FIG. 49, an image 4910 is represented by anarrow at a first point in three-dimensional space. The image may be, forexample, a beam of light, a laser beam, or a real or virtual opticalimage. Accordingly, the electro-active optical system 4900 may beutilized to focus the image 4910 to a predetermined point in threedimensional space. The first electro-active element 4920 may be used tomove, or shift, the image 4910 along both the x-axis and the y-axis.This may be accomplished by applying the appropriate array of signals tothe first electro-active element 4920 to produce horizontal and verticalprism in the first electro-active element 4920. In this embodiment, theprism may be produced with both a horizontal and a vertical component,as opposed to solely horizontal or solely vertical. The secondelectro-active element 4930 may be used to focus the image 4910 alongthe z-axis by adjusting the optical power of the system 4900 to a morepositive or more negative optical power, depending on the desiredlocation of the resulting image. Additionally, range finder device 4950may be utilized to detect the location of a target, for example, adetector, in the image field where the user desires to focus theresulting image. Range finder device 4950 may then determine the degreeof focus required in the second electro-active element 4930 to achievethe resulting image 4960 desired by the user at the predetermined pointin three-dimensional space. It should be appreciated that range finderdevice 4950 may be in the form of the above-described range finderembodiments, including an integrated power source, controller and rangefinder system.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system inaccord with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 50,electro-active optical system 5000 includes a first electro-activeelement 5020 and range finder device 5050. Also shown in FIG. 50, animage 5010 is represented by an arrow at a first point inthree-dimensional space. The image may be, for example, a beam of light,a laser beam, or a real or virtual optical image. Accordingly, theelectro-active optical system 5000 may be utilized to focus the image5010 to a predetermined point in three dimensional space. The firstelectro-active element 5020 may be used to move, or shift, the image5010 along both the x-axis and the y-axis. This may be accomplished byapplying the appropriate array of signals to the first electro-activeelement 5020 to produce horizontal and vertical prism in the firstelectro-active element 5020. In this embodiment, the prism may beproduced with both a horizontal and a vertical component, as opposed tosolely horizontal or solely vertical. Additionally, the firstelectro-active element 5020 may be used to focus the image 5010 alongthe z-axis by adjusting the optical power of the system 5000 to a morepositive or more negative optical power, depending on the desiredlocation of the resulting image. Range finder device 5050 may beutilized to detect the location of a target, for example, a detector, inthe image field where the user desires to focus the resulting image.Range finder device 5050 may then determine the degree of focus requiredin the first electro-active element 5020 to achieve the resulting image5060 desired by the user at the predetermined point in three-dimensionalspace. Accordingly, the optical system 5000 would produce an array withoptical properties the same as an optical lens with prism at a fixedangle and possessing a desired spherical power. It should be appreciatedthat range finder device 5050 may be in the form of the above-describedrange finder embodiments, including an integrated power source,controller and range finder system.

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system inaccord with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 51,electro-active optical system 5100 includes a first element 5120, asecond electro-active element 5130, and range finder device 5150. Alsoshown in FIG. 51, an image 5110 is represented by an arrow at a firstpoint in three-dimensional space. The image may be, for example, a beamof light, a laser beam, or a real or virtual optical image. Accordingly,the electro-active optical system 5100 may be utilized to focus theimage 5110 to a predetermined point in three dimensional space. Thefirst element 5120 may be used to select a specific wavelength of lightfrom the image or beam 5110. This may be accomplished using a staticmonochromatic filter, or a mechanically or electrically switchingchromatic filter. The second electro-active element 5130 may be used tomove, or shift, the image 5110 along both the x-axis and the y-axis.This may be accomplished by applying the appropriate array of signals tothe second electro-active element 5130 to produce horizontal andvertical prism in the second electro-active element 5130. In thisembodiment, the prism may be produced with both a horizontal and avertical component, as opposed to solely horizontal or solely vertical.The second electro-active element 5130 may also be used to focus theimage 5110 along the z-axis by adjusting the optical power of the system5100 to a more positive or more negative optical power, depending on thedesired location of the resulting image. Additionally, range finderdevice 5150 may be utilized to detect the location of a target, forexample, a detector, in the image field where the user desires to focusthe resulting image. Range finder device 5150 may then determine thedegree of focus required in the second electro-active element 5130 toachieve the resulting image 5160 desired by the user at thepredetermined point in three-dimensional space. Accordingly, the opticalsystem 5100 would produce an array with optical properties the same asan optical lens with prism at a fixed angle and possessing a desiredspherical power. It should be appreciated that range finder device 5150may be in the form of the above-described range finder embodiments,including an integrated power source, controller and range findersystem.

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of an electro-active optical system inaccord with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 52,electro-active optical system 5200 includes a first element 5220, asecond electro-active element 5230, and range finder device 5250. Alsoshown in FIG. 52, an image 5210 is represented by an arrow at a firstpoint in three-dimensional space. The image may be, for example, a beamof light, a laser beam, or a real or virtual optical image. Accordingly,the electro-active optical system 5200 may be utilized to focus theimage 5210 to a predetermined point in three dimensional space. Thefirst element 5220 may be a fixed lens used to provide a large, orgross, adjustment to position of the resulting image along the z-axis.The second electro-active element 5230 may be used to move, or shift,the image 5210 along both the x-axis and the y-axis. This may beaccomplished by applying the appropriate array of signals to the secondelectro-active element 5230 to produce horizontal and vertical prism inthe second electro-active element 5230. In this embodiment, the prismmay be produced with both a horizontal and a vertical component, asopposed to solely horizontal or solely vertical. The secondelectro-active element 5230 may also be used to focus the image 5210along the z-axis by adjusting the optical power of the system 5200 to amore positive or more negative optical power, in combination with thefirst element 5220, depending on the desired location of the resultingimage. Additionally, range finder device 5250 may be utilized to detectthe location of a target, for example, a detector, in the image fieldwhere the user desires to focus the resulting image. Range finder device5250 may then determine the degree of focus required in the secondelectro-active element 5230, in combination with the first element 5220,to achieve the resulting image 5260 desired by the user at thepredetermined point in three-dimensional space. Accordingly, the opticalsystem 5200 would produce an array with optical properties the same asan optical lens with prism at a fixed angle and possessing a desiredspherical power. It should be appreciated that range finder device 5250may be in the form of the above-described range finder embodiments,including an integrated power source, controller and range findersystem. It should be further appreciated that although a fixed lens hasonly been described above with reference to FIG. 52 for use in adjustingthe focal length of the resulting image, a fixed lens may be employedwith any of the above-described electro-active optical systems forsteering or focusing an optical image in three-dimensional space. Forexample, the various embodiments described above could be used in anyimaging system designed for recording an optical image, such as digitalor conventional cameras, video recorders, and other devices forrecording an optical image.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been discussedabove, other embodiments also within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention are also plausible. For example, in addition to each of thecomponents described above, an eye tracker may also be added to the lensto track the eye movements of the user both in focusing theelectro-active refractive matrix, as well as performing various otherfunctions and services for the user. Furthermore, while a combined LEDand radiation detector have been described as a rangefinder othercomponents may also be used to complete this function.

1. A method of utilizing an electro-active optical system to locate anoptical image in three-dimensional space along an optical axis,comprising: utilizing a first electro-active element to shift theoptical image horizontally in a first plane perpendicular to the opticalaxis; utilizing a second electro-active element to shift the opticalimage vertically in the first plane perpendicular to the optical axis;utilizing a view detector to determine a first distance of the opticalimage along the optical axis; analyzing the first distance to determinean optical power adjustment for focusing the optical image; andadjusting an optical power of a third element by the optical poweradjustment to focus the optical image, wherein the view detectorcomprises a range finder device and a tilt switch.
 2. An optical lenssystem comprising: an electro-active lens; a tilt switch; and acontroller coupled to the electro-active lens configured to adjust afocal length of at least a portion of the electro-active lens based on asignal from the tilt switch.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the rangefinder device comprises a transmitter configured to produce a first beamof non-visible radiation for intersecting a perceived object and areceiver configured to detect a second beam of non-visible radiationreflected from the perceived object.
 4. The method of claim 3, whereinthe range finder device further comprises at least one device tomanipulate a beam of non-visible radiation.
 5. The method of claim 4wherein the device that manipulates the beam of non-visible radiationmanipulates the first beam produced by the transmitter.
 6. The method ofclaim 5 wherein the device that manipulates the first beam comprises adiverging lens selectively covering the transmitter.
 7. The method ofclaim 4 wherein the device that manipulates the beam of non-visibleradiation manipulates the second beam of non-visible radiation receivedby the receiver, wherein the second beam of non-visible radiation is anacceptance cone.
 8. The method of claim 4 wherein the device thatmanipulates the beam of non-visible radiation further comprises areceiving lens selectively covering the receiver, the receiving lensconfigured to adjust an acceptance cone received by the receiver.
 9. Themethod of claim 8 wherein the receiving lens is constructed of an opaquematerial.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein the receiving lens includesa slit aperture.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein the slit aperture issubstantially rectangular.
 12. The method of claim 3 wherein thetransmitter is a laser diode.
 13. The method of claim 3 wherein thetransmitter is an LED.
 14. The method of claim 3 wherein the transmitterand the receiver are both coupled to a power source.
 15. The opticallens system of claim 2, further comprising: a transmitter configured toproduce a first beam of non-visible radiation for intersecting aperceived object and a receiver configured to detect a second beam ofnon-visible radiation reflected from the perceived object.
 16. Theoptical lens system of claim 15 further comprising: at least one deviceto manipulate a beam of non-visible radiation.
 17. The optical lenssystem of claim 16 wherein the device that manipulates the beam ofnon-visible radiation manipulates the first beam produced by thetransmitter.
 18. The optical lens system of claim 17 wherein the devicethat manipulates the first beam comprises a diverging lens selectivelycovering the transmitter.
 19. The optical lens system of claim 16wherein the device that manipulates the beam of non-visible radiationmanipulates the second beam of non-visible radiation received by thereceiver, wherein the second beam of non-visible radiation is anacceptance cone.
 20. The optical lens system of claim 16 wherein thedevice that manipulates the beam of non-visible radiation furthercomprises: a receiving lens selectively covering the receiver, thereceiving lens configured to adjust an acceptance cone received by thereceiver.
 21. The optical lens system of claim 20 wherein the receivinglens is constructed of an opaque material.
 22. The optical lens systemof claim 20 wherein the receiving lens includes a slit aperture.
 23. Theoptical lens system of claim 22 wherein the slit aperture issubstantially rectangular.
 24. The optical lens system of claim 15wherein the transmitter is a laser diode.
 25. The optical lens system ofclaim 15 wherein the transmitter is an LED.
 26. The optical lens systemof claim 15 wherein the transmitter and the receiver are both coupled toa power source.
 27. The optical lens system of claim 15 wherein thecontroller is configured to determine a viewing distance of theperceived object based on signals received from the transmitter andreceiver.